SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON

Senior Division, No. 298, Fourth Quarter, 1969

THE BLESSING OF DAILY STUDY

"Set apart a little time each day for study of the Sabbath School lesson."—

Counsels to Parents ,Teachers, and Students,

page 137.

"Let the Sabbath School lesson be learned, not by a hasty glance at the

lesson scripture on Sabbath morning, but by careful study for the next week

on Sabbath afternoon, with daily review or illustration during the week. Thus

the lesson will become fixed in the memory, a treasure never to be wholly lost."

—Education,

pages 251, 252.

My Daily Lesson Study Pledge

As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge of the Scriptures, I

pledge myself to the careful and prayerful study of some portion of my Sabbath

School lesson each day of the week.

Nano



Lesson Titles for the Quarter

Christ, the Author and the Theme of Scripture.

The Inspiration of the Scriptures.

Searching the Scriptures.

The Two Books of God.

The Sure Word of Prophecy.

The Historical Bible.

Conditional Prophecy.

Prophecies Concerning Israel—I.

Prophecies Concerning Israel—II.

10.

Treasures New and Old.

11.

Responsibilities of Bible Study.

12.

The Scriptures and My Life.

13.

Triumph of the Scriptures.

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Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly

KEYS OF THE KINGDOM

A Series of Sabbath School Lessons Dealing With

The Holy Scriptures, Their Study, Meaning, and Application

"And I will give unto thee the keys of

the kingdom of heaven." Matt. 16:19.

"'The keys of the kingdom of heaven are the words of Christ. All the words

of Holy Scripture are His, and are here included. These words have power to

open and to shut heaven."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 413.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Keys to Bible Study

During this quarter we shall discuss the

theme, "The Holy Scriptures, their study,

meaning, and application." How can we

get the most spiritual benefit and enjoy-

ment out of reading God's Word? Let us

think of the Scriptures as a storehouse full

of valuable treasures. In order to open up

the treasure-house and find access to the

priceless gems of truth, the Bible student

must have in his possession certain keys.

These may be labeled as follows:

Spiritual sense of "sight" and "hear-

ing."

The student must come to the Bible

prayerfully, with open eyes to observe and

a willing spirit to be taught the truth. He

should study the context of each scripture,

know the essential geographical and his-

torical connections related to the different

passages, and as far as possible be ac-

quainted with the writer and his biograph-

ical background. So that the words of the

prophets in the Scriptures may be under-

stood, careful study should also be given

as to whether there should be a past, pres-

ent, or future application made of the text.

Each scripture should always be compared

with other scripture. If the student does

this, then with sensitive spiritual "ears" he

may "hear"—that is, become aware of—

what the Spirit of truth has for him

personally in the passage before him.

Good judgment.

The Bible student should carefully weigh

the evidence of each paragraph. Is it his-

torical in nature or prophetic? literal or

symbolic? He must also seek to ascertain

what the inspired writer had in mind.

What did the text mean to him and what

does it mean to us today?

Good sense of values.

The student should see each gem in the

treasure-house of truth in relation to the

others, the part in relation to the whole.

Where does it belong in the whole plan of

redemption? No Bible truth has value ex-

cept as related to Christ and the whole

truth of the gospel.

Good "heart" sense.

What will

do with this truth? What is

it worth to me? How can I apply it to

my own heart? What duty does it point

out to me? All Bible study is meant to

benefit the seeker for truth himself as well

as the whole church.

Good sense of obligation.

Gems are of value to all, not simply to

the miner himself. So the truth discovered

must be shared. How to communicate the

light received should become a subject for

study. Gems of truth shared with others

encourage the quest to discover more and

still more of the jewels of the Lord.

Scripture references to NEB are from

The New English Bible,

Delegates of the Oxford University Press

and the Syndics of the Cambridge Uni-

versity Press, 1961. Used by permission of

the Cambridge University Press, Inc., New

York City.

References to Phillips are from

The New

Testament in Modern English,

by J. B. Phillips, 1958. Used by permission

of the Macmillan Company.

[3]

Lesson 1, for October 4, 1969

Christ, the Author and the Theme of Scripture

MEMORY VERSE:

"Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal

life: and they are they which testify of Me." John 5:39.

STUDY HELPS:

"The Desire of Ages," pages 413, 414; "Fundamentals of Christian

Education," pages 308, 381-389; "Steps to Christ," chapter, "A Knowledge of

God"; "SDA Bible Dictionary," pages 144, 1152; "SDA Bible Commentary."

STUDY AIM:

To find the central theme of the Old and New Testament revelations;

and to discover how Christ regarded the Old Testament Scriptures in relation

to Himself and to His mission to the world.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Author and Theme of Scripture

The word of Christ, the source

of truth. Col. 3:16 (first part).

Christ speaks through the prophets.

1 Peter 1:10-12.

Old Testament Scriptures testified

of Christ. John 5:39.

II. His Knowledge of the Scriptures

His knowledge foretold. Isa. 11:1-3.

His respect for God's Word

foretold. Ps. 40:7, 8.

His weapon in temptation.

Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13.

His Word is powerful. Heb. 4:12.

8. His prophets speak with power.

Hosea 6:5.

III. His Reverence for the Old

Testament

9. He taught with certainty.

Luke 4:32 ; Matt. 7:29.

10. He amplified God's revealed will.

Matt. 5:21, 22, 27, 28, 38, 39, 43, 44.

11. He pointed men to the Scriptures.

Matt. 21:42 (first part) ; Luke

10:26.

IV. His Use of the Scriptures

12. He recognized man's need.

John 3:19-21; 1:9-11, 5.

13. He spoke through all the prophets.

Luke 24:25-27.

THE LESSON

Introduction

"From the promise given to Adam, down

through the patriarchal line and the legal

economy, heaven's glorious light made plain

the footsteps of the Redeemer. Seers beheld

the Star of Bethlehem, the Shiloh to come,

as future things swept before them in

mysterious procession. In every sacrifice

Christ's death was shown. In every cloud

of incense His righteousness ascended. By

every jubilee trumpet His name was

sounded. In the awful mystery of the holy

of holies His glory dwelt."—The

Desire of

Ages,

pages 211, 212.

The Author and Theme

of Scripture

1. What admonition did Paul give

the church at Colosse? Col. 3:16 (first

part). Compare John

5:24;

2 Thess.

3:1.

NoTE.—The Biblical expressions, "The

word of Christ," "My word," "The word

of the Lord," all refer to God's message

made known to men. Through His Spirit,

Christ is the Author of this Word, speak-

ing to us through the prophets. The Bible

is the Word of God in the language of

men, even as Christ was the Word "made

flesh." John 1:14. In His divine-human

form He is "God's thought made visible,

audible, and intelligible to human beings,

particularly with respect to His infinite

purpose that all men should find salvation."

—SDA Bible Dictionary,

on "Word," page

1152.

With whose Spirit were the Old

Testament prophets imbued? 1 Peter

1:10-12.

NorE.—The prophets' teachings harmo-

nize because there is only one Author

speaking through them all. The New Testa-

ment writers quote liberally from the Old

Testament (1) to show the fulfillment of

certain Old Testament passages in the per-

son and ministry of Christ, in events in

the nation of Israel, in the reception of the

gospel by Gentiles, and in the development

of the Christian church; (2) to make plain

the plan of redemption prefigured in the

Old Testament and now made real by the

blood of Christ; (3) to reinforce truths of

eternal consequence taught clearly in the

Old Testament, largely forgotten or mis-

understood, now strengthened by New

Testament teaching.

What is the great central theme

of Old Testament Scriptures? John

5:39.

His Knowledge of the Scriptures

What did Isaiah predict con-

cerning the spirit that was to rest

upon Christ? Isa. 11:1-3. Compare

Luke 2:41-49.

NOTE.—"And all who heard Him were

amazed at His intelligence and the an-

swers He gave." Luke 2:47, NEB.

"Jesus seemed to know the Scriptures

from beginning to end, and He presented

them in their true import."—The

Desire of

Ages,

page 85.

During the days of Jesus' youthful con-

flict and throughout His earthly life God's

Word was His guide. "To every temptation

He had one answer, 'It is written.'

"—

Ibid.,

p. 88. Jesus' every thought and ac-

tion were in harmony with the Scriptures.

To this familiarity with God's Word may

be traced in large measure His great wis-

dom, understanding, and power.

What prophecy pinpointed

Christ's relationship to the revealed

will of God? Ps. 40:7, 8. Compare Ps.

119:9-11; Heb. 10:5-7; Luke 24:44, 45.

NOTE.—The expression "the law of

Moses" in Luke 24:44 refers to God's mes-

sage to man recorded in the Pentateuch, the

first five books of the Old Testament.

Frequently in Scripture this is abbreviated

to "the law," which the Bible writers—as

in Psalm 40:7, 8—also use in a general

sense to refer to all of God's will as re-

vealed in the Old Testament.

"The Child Jesus did not receive in-

struction in the synagogue schools. His

mother was His first human teacher. From

her lips and from the scrolls of the proph-

ets, He learned of heavenly things. The

very words which He Himself had spoken

to Moses for Israel He was now taught at

His mother's knee. As He advanced from

childhood to youth, He did not seek the

schools of the rabbis. He needed not the

education to be obtained from such sources;

for God was His instructor."—The

Desire

of Ages,

page 70.

When Jesus faced temptation,

what weapon did He use? Matt. 4:1-

11; Luke 4:1-13. Compare Eph. 6:

11-13, 17 (last part).

NOTE.—"Jesus met Satan with the words

of Scripture. 'It is written,' He said. In

every temptation the weapon of His war-

fare was the Word of God. Satan demanded

of Christ a miracle as a sign of His di-

vinity. But that which is greater than all

miracles, a firm reliance upon a 'Thus saith

the Lord,' was a sign that could not be

controverted. So long as Christ held to this

position, the tempter could gain no ad-

vantage."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 120.

To what is the Word of God

compared? Heb. 4:12.

[5]

NOTE.—"Practical truth must be brought

into the life, and the Word, like a sharp,

two-edged sword, must cut away the sur-

plus of self that there is in our characters."

—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible

Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 928.

What did God say He had done

"by the prophets," and what had been

the effect of God's words? Hosea 6:5.

NOTE.—"The figure is that of hard stone

or wood to which, by hewing, the right

shape is given, and obdurate Israel is con-

ceived of as having been subjected to such

treatment for its good through the objur-

gations [reproofs] of the prophets."—

Lange's Commentary,

on Hosea 6:5.

His Reverence for the

Old Testament

What was the reaction of the

people to Christ's teaching? Luke 4:

32; Matt. 7:29.

NoTE.—"The rabbis spoke with doubt

and hesitancy, as if the Scriptures might

be interpreted to mean one thing or exactly

the opposite. The hearers were daily in-

volved in greater uncertainty. But Jesus

taught the Scriptures as of unquestionable

authority. Whatever His subject, it was

presented with power, as if His words

could not be controverted."—The

Desire of

Ages,

page 253.

10.

In His Sermon on the Mount,

how did Jesus magnify and amplify

Old Testament instruction? Matt. 5:

21, 22, 27, 28, 38, 39, 43, 44.

NoTE.—"His mission was to 'magnify the

law, and make it honorable.' Isaiah 42:21.

He was to show the spiritual nature of the

law, to present its far-reaching principles,

and to make plain its eternal obligation."—

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,

page 49.

[

11.

In His teaching ministry, what

questions did Jesus ask? Matt. 21:42

(first part); Luke 10:26.

NoTE.—Jesus always pointed to the Old

Testament Scriptures as authoritative. His

probing questions were stimulants—as if

He were saying, "The truth is in the

Scriptures if you will search for it dili-

gently. As you read, listen to God's Word

speaking to you. Do not get into the habit

of skimming the surface. Dig deep."

His Use of the Scriptures

12.

What was man's reaction when

light came into the world? John 3:19-

21; 1:9-11, 5. Compare Rom. 1:21, 25.

NOTE.—"Men had well-nigh ceased to

discern God in His works. The sinfulness

of humanity had cast a pall over the fair

face of creation; and instead of manifest-

ing God, His works became a barrier that

concealed Him. Men 'worshiped and served

the creature more than the Creator.' Thus

the heathen 'became vain in their imagina-

tions, and their foolish heart was darkened.'

Rom. 1:25, 21. So in Israel, man's teaching

had been put in the place of God's. Not

only the things of nature, but the sacri-

ficial service and the Scriptures them-

selves—all given to reveal God—were so

perverted that they became the means of

concealing Him.

"Christ sought to remove that which

obscured the truth. The veil that sin has

cast over the face of nature, He came to

draw aside, bringing to view the spiritual

glory that all things were created to re-

flect. His words placed the teachings of

nature as well as of the Bible in a new

aspect, and made them a new revelation."

—Christ's Object Lessons,

pages 18, 19.

13.

How thorough and broad was

Christ's use of the Scriptures? Luke

24:25-27.

NOTE.—"Beginning at Moses, the very

Alpha of Bible history, Christ expounded in

all

the Scriptures the things concerning

Himself. Had He first made Himself known

to them, their hearts would have been sat-

isfied. In the fullness of their joy they

would have hungered for nothing more.

But it was necessary for them to under-

stand the witness borne, to Him by the

types and prophecies of the Old Testament.

Upon these their faith must be established.

Christ performed no miracle to convince

them, but it was His first work to explain

the Scriptures. They had looked upon His

death as the destruction of all their hopes.

Now He showed from the prophets that

this was the very strongest evidence for

their faith.

"In teaching these disciples, Jesus showed

the importance of the Old Testament as a

witness to His mission. Many professed

Christians now discard the Old Testament,

claiming that it is no longer of any use.

But such is not Christ's teaching. So

highly did He value it that at one time

He said, 'If they hear not Moses and the

prophets, neither will they be persuaded,

though one rose from the dead.' Luke 16:31.

"It is the voice of Christ that speaks

through patriarchs and prophets, from the

days of Adam even to the closing scenes

time."—The Desire of Ages,

pages 796-

799.

Lesson 2, for October 11, 1969

The Inspiration of the Scriptures

MEMORY VERSE:

"All Scripture

is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable

for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that

the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

STUDY HELPS: "The Great Controversy," pages v-xii; "Selected Messages," Bk. 1,

pp. 19-23, 25, 26; "Testimonies," Vol. 4, p. 449; Vol. 5, p. 747; "SDA Bible

Commentary."

STUDY'AIM: To seek to discover in the Bible itself a basis for faith in it as an

inspired revelation of God's truth.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. Early Revelations of God to Man

Face-to-face communion.

Gen. 1:27-29; 2:15-17.

Sin hid God's face from man.

Gen. 3:1-6.

Earliest written revelation.

John 1:17 (first part).

II. How God's Book Came to Man

The prophets speak for God.

Amos 3:7; Heb. 1:1.

Oral messages. Ezek. 40:2-4 ;

44:4-6.

Written messages. Rev. 1:10, 11.

7. Source of prophetic utterances.

Jer. 2:2 ; Ezek. 6:1, 2.

8. Prophetic writings called

"Scriptures." 2 Peter 3:15, 16.

9. God's message to be given to men.

2 Tim. 4:1, 2.

III. Inspired Nature of the Book

10. Its source. 2 Tim. 3:16 (first part).

11. Its results. 2 Tim. 3:15;

1 Peter 1:23.

IV. Dimensions of God's Book

12. Four profitable dimensions.

2 Tim. 3:16 (last part).

13. Study leads to perfection.

2 Tim. 3:17.

14. Provides safeguards.

Ps. 119:11, 104.

THE LESSON

Introduction

"The Bible points to God as its author;

yet it was written by human hands; and in

the varied style of its different books it

presents the characteristics of the several

writers. The truths revealed are all 'given

by inspiration of God' (2 Timothy 3:16) ;

yet they are expressed in the words of men.

The Infinite One by His Holy Spirit has

shed light into the minds and hearts of

His servants. He has given dreams and

visions, symbols and figures; and those to

whom the truth was thus revealed, have

themselves embodied the thought in human

language.

"The Ten Commandments were spoken

by God Himself, and were written by His

own hand. They are of divine, and not of

human composition. But the Bible, with its

God-given truths expressed in the language

of men, presents a union of the divine with

the human. Such a union existed in the

nature of Christ, who was the Son of God

and the Son of man. Thus it is true of the

Bible, as it was of Christ, that 'the Word

was made flesh, and dwelt among us.'

John

1:14."—The Great Controversy,

In-

troduction, pages v, vi.

"The Holy Scriptures are to be accepted

as an authoritative, infallible revelation of

His will. They are the standard of char-

acter, the revealer of doctrines, and the

test of experience."—/bid., p. vii.

Early Revelations of God to Man

How did God communicate with

man in Eden? Gen. 1:27-29; 2:15-17.

NorE.—The Creator spoke to Adam and

Eve face to face, instructing them con-

cerning His will. "The holy pair were

not only children under the fatherly care

of God but students receiving instruction

from the all-wise Creator. They were

visited by angels, and were granted com-

munion with their Maker, with no obscur-

ing veil

between."—Patriarchs and Proph-

ets,

page 50.

What broke the face-to-face com-

munion between God and man? Gen.

3:1-6. Compare Isa. 59:1, 2.

NOTE.—"Before the entrance of sin,

Adam enjoyed open communion with his

Maker; but since man separated himself

from God by transgression, the human race

has been cut off from this high privilege.

By the plan of redemption, however, a way

has been opened whereby the inhabitants

of the earth may still have connection with

heaven. God has communicated with men

by His Spirit, and divine light has been

imparted to the world by revelations to

His chosen servants. 'Holy men of God

spake as they were moved by the Holy

Ghost.' 2 Peter

1:21."—The Great Con-

troversy,

Introduction, page v.

By whose hand was "the law,"

or earliest written revelation of God's

will, given to men? John 1:17 (first

part).

NorE.—"The preparation of the Written

Word began in the time of Moses. Inspired

revelations were then embodied in an in-

spired Book. This work continued during

the long period of sixteen hundred years—

from Moses, the historian of creation and

the law, to John, the recorder of the most

sublime truths of the gospel."—The

Great

Controversy,

Introduction, page v.

How God's Book Came to Man

What human instrumentalities

has God used to communicate with

man? Amos 3:7; Heb. 1:1.

In what manner did Ezekiel re-

ceive instruction from God? Ezek. 40:

2-4; 44:4-6.

How was John instructed to com-

municate the light he received? Rev.

1:10, 11.

NoTE.—The Scriptures teach that the

Lord's messages were communicated to the

prophets in visions and dreams. (Num.

12:6). These revelations were then em-

bodied in human language and communi-

cated to the people. The truths received

were sometimes spoken, sometimes written.

Note the following phrases:

"spoken

by Daniel the prophet" (Matt. 24:15) ;

"spoken

of the Lord by the prophet"

(Matt. 1:22) ; "things which are

written

may be fulfilled" (Luke 21:22) ; "Moses in

the law, and the prophets, did

write"

(John

1:45).

Whom did prophets acknowl-

edge as the source of their messages to

the people? Jer. 2:2; Ezek. 6:1, 2.

NOTE.—God's prophetic messengers de-

clared to Israel that the "word of the

Lord" came to them (Micah 1:1; Zech. 8:

1, et cetera), and it was this divine word

or message—not their own—which they

communicated to the people. If the word

or message was rejected, it was said that

the people had "despised the word of the

Holy One of Israel." Isa. 5:24. Indeed, to

reject God's word through His prophet

was equivalent to rejecting the Lord Him-

self. 1 Sam. 8:1-10.

In what category did Peter place

Paul's writings? 2 Peter 3:15, 16.

NoTE.—Different terms are used in the

Bible to designate "the Word of the Lord."

It is called the "Scripture" or "Scriptures"

some fifty times in the New Testament.

The word

Bible

is a term frequently em-

ployed today when referring to the Scrip-

tures, but this word is not actually used in

the text of our English Bible. It derives

from the Greek word

biblia,

which means

"little books." The Bible is a collection of

sacred books, a complete collection of es-

sential spiritual knowledge.

What solemn charge did Paul

give to Timothy? 2 Tim. 4:1, 2. Com-

pare 1 Peter 1:25 (last part).

NOTE.—"Preach the word," said Paul to

the young minister, Timothy. In apostolic

days God's "Word," or message to men as

recorded in the Old Testament canon of

Scriptures, was the inspired point of refer-

ence in preaching the gospel of salvation

through Christ. The entire Bible, as we

know it today, did not exist when Paul's

letters to Timothy were written. The New

Testament writings appeared during the

first century AD., and soon came to be

recognized by Christians as equally in-

spired with the Old Testament.

Inspired Nature of the Book

10.

What does Paul say about the

"inspiration" of the Scriptures? 2 Tim.

3:16 (first part).

NOTE.—"Inspiration of God" suggests the

divine origin of the Scriptures. "Inspiration

of God" means literally, "God breathed."

The actual impartation of the divine reve-

lation of truth came to the prophet under

the Spirit's guidance and control. See Num.

12:6; Hosea 12:10; Rev. 1:10. The com-

munication to the people of the light re-

ceived by the prophet, was also directed

by the Holy Spirit. See 2 Peter 1:21;

Rev. 1:2, 11.

The Spirit of God also operates to aid

the reader in his study of the truth thus

revealed (John 14:26; 15:26). But this

kind of Spirit-aided guidance, or illumi-

nation, is not equivalent to prophetic in-

spiration.

11.

What great benefits accrue from

the sincere study of God's Book?

2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Peter 1:23.

Dimensions of God's Book

12.

Name four "profitable" dimen-

sions of the Bible. 2 Tim. 3:16 (last

part).

NoTE.—Four dimensions of the Bible

mentioned by Paul satisfy four specific

areas of man's spiritual and intellectual

need. God's Word is "profitable" for:

(1)

doctrine,

that is, imparting knowledge

about the teachings of the Christian faith;

(2)

reproof,

that is, reprimanding sin and

censuring unlawful acts; (3)

correction,

[ 9 ]

that is, refuting perverted and erroneous

teaching; (4)

instruction,

that is, "resetting

the direction of a man's life and training

him in good living." Phillips.

13. Through the instruction of the

Scriptures, to what heights of spiritual

experience may men attain? 2 Tim.

3:17. Compare Eph. 4:13-15.

NOTE.-"As

a child is taught the basic

responsibilities of manhood, so the Chris-

tian finds in the Scriptures,,those principles

that will help hirC..t.Qz27 up)to the 'per-

fect man, unto the meastre

ol the stature

of the fullness of Christ' (Eph. 4:13).

This process of growing up to be like

Christ is known as sanctification, a training

that continues throughout life."-SDA

Bi-

ble Commentary,

on 2 Tim. 3:16.

14. What safeguards are presented

in God's Word? Ps. 119:11, 104.

NoTE.-"Every promise in God's Word is

ours. 'By every word that proceedeth out

of the mouth of God' are we to live.

When assailed by temptation, look not to

circumstances or to the weakness of self,

but to the power of the Word. All its

strength is yours. 'Thy Word,' says the

psalmist, 'have I hid in mine heart, that

I might not sin against thee.' 'By the word

of thy lips I have kept me from the paths

of the destroyer.' Ps. 119:11;

17:4."-The

Desire of Ages,

page 123.

Lesson 3, for October 18, T969

Searching the Scriptures

MEMORY VERSE:

"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that

they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scrip-

tures daily, whether those things were so." Acts 17:11.

STUDY HELPS:

"Education," pages 185-192; "Early Writings," page 88; "Gospel

Workers," pages 302, 303, 152; "Testimonies," Vol. 2, pp. 650, 651, 692;

Vol. 5, p. 708; Vol. 6, p. 131; "SDA Bible Commentary."

STUDY AIM:

To discover helpful methods of Bible reading and study that will

bring the most spiritual benefits into the personal life and experience.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. Adequacy of Biblical Revelation

A complete spiritual food.

Deut. 8:3 (last part) ; Matt. 4:4.

One part supports another.

Dan. 9:2.

II. Approaching the Sacred Text

With a prayer for guidance.

1 Sam. 23:1-5.

With a deep longing to understand.

Ps. 119:18-20.

With a willingness to share.

Isa. 21:11, 12.

6. With the spirit of obedience.

1 Kings 22:14.

7. A grave danger. Prov. 16:25.

III. Methods for Bible Reading

8. Telescopic. Deut. 31:10-13 ;

11:18-21.

9. Microscopic. Acts 8:26-38.

10. Daily, diligent Bible reading.

Acts 17:11.

11. Compare scripture with scripture.

1 Cor. 2:9-13.

IV. Key to the Kingdom

12. The key is the Word itself.

Matt. 16:19.

13. Misuse of the key. 2 Peter 3:16

(last part).

[ 1

THE LESSON

Introduction



Approaching the Sacred Text

"We should exert all the powers of the

mind in the study of the Scriptures and

should task the understanding to compre-

hend, as far as mortals can, the deep things

of God; yet we must not forget that the

docility and submission of a child is the

true spirit of the learner. Scriptural diffi-

culties can never be mastered by the same

methods that are employed in grappling

with philosophical problems. We should

not engage in the study of the Bible with

that self-reliance with which so many enter

the domains of science, but with a prayer-

ful dependence upon God and a sincere

desire to learn His will. We must come

with a humble and teachable spirit to ob-

tain knowledge from the great I AM.

Otherwise, evil angels will so blind our

minds and harden our hearts that we shall

not be impressed by the truth."—The

Great Controversy,

page 599.

Adequacy of Biblical Revelation

How is man's spiritual life sus-

tained? Deut. 8:3 (last part); Matt.

4:4.

NOTE.—"The Bible contains all the prin-

ciples that men need to understand in

order to be fitted either for this life or

for the life to come. And these principles

may be understood by all. No one with a

spirit to appreciate its teaching can read

a single passage from the Bible without

gaining from it some helpful thought."—

Education,

page 123.

How did one Bible writer reveal

his confidence in the writings of an-

other prophet? Dan. 9:2. Compare

Jer. 25:11-14; Ezra 1:1.

When David needed special guid-

ance, what did he do? How did the

Lord respond? 1 Sam. 23:1-5. Com-

pare 1 Sam. 10:22.

NoTE.—When we desire to know the way

of the Lord, we should go as a church or

as individuals to the Word, for we shall

find safe guidance there. A good Bible

concordance is a great help, and the spirit

of prophecy was given to the church in the

last days as an inspired Bible commentary.

Here our minds are attracted to the Scrip-

ture and to its teachings, so that we may

learn the meaning of God's Word and to

reverence and obey the Lord.

For what did the psalmist pray?

Ps. 119:18-20.

NOTE.—"Tire:Bible should never be stud-

ied without prayei9The Holy Spirit alone

can cause us to-feel the importance of those

things easy to be understood, or prevent

us from wresting truths difficult of com-

prehension. It is the office of heavenly

angels to prepare the heart so to compre-

hend God's Word that we shall be charmed

with its beauty, admonished by its warn-

ings, or animated and strengthened by its

promises. We should make the psalmist's

petition our own, 'Open Thou mine eyes,

that I may behold wondrous things out

of Thy law.' Psalm 119:18."—The

Great

Controversy,

pages 599, 600.

What inquiry was made of Is-

rael's watchmen? What reply was

given? Isa. 21:11, 12.

NoTe.—"Daniel searched the portion of

the Old Testament which he had at his

command, and made the Word of God

his highest instructor."—Fundamentals

Christian Education,

page 358.

NoTE.—"God's watchmen upon the walls

of Zion today should be ready to give an

answer to those who inquire what hour of

earth's long night it is, and when the dawn

of eternal day may be expected."—SDA

Bible Commentary,

on Isa. 21:12.

What spirit did the prophets

manifest in receiving and communi-

cating God's truth to the people?

1 Kings 22:14. Compare Num. 22:38;

Jer. 1:7.

NOTE.—The spirit shown by the prophets

in humbly receiving and communicating the

messages God gave to them should be seen

in the churches today among all believers.

The Bible should be searched in an effort

to find the truth on a given subject but

not to prove and promote pet theories.

See

Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Stu-

dents,

pages 341, 463. The world needs the

messages of God in the Book, not the

theories and twisted ideas of worldly phi-

losophers and false teachers.

What danger does the wise man

point out? Prov. 16:25.

NoTE.—"Ignorance is no excuse for error

or sin, when there is every opportunity to

know the will of God. A man is traveling

and comes to a place where there are sev-

eral roads and a guideboard indicating

where each one leads. If he disregards the

guideboard, and takes whichever road seems

to him to be right, he may be ever so

sincere, but will in all probability find him-

self on the wrong road.

"God has given us His Word that we

may become acquainted with its teachings,

and know for ourselves what He requires

us."—The Great Controversy,

pages 597,

598.

Methods for Bible Reading

In what manner was the Word

of God brought to Israel in ancient

times? Deut. 31:10-13; 11:18-21. Com-

pare Ezra 7:6, 10; Neh. 8:1-8, 18.

NOTE.—"Every seventh year the whole

law was to be read in the assembly of all

Israel, as Moses commanded."—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

page 503.

"Not alone the men of Israel, but 'all

the women and the little ones' listened to

the reading of the

law."—Ibid.

Ezra and the associate Levites read the

Torah, or the five books of Moses, to the

people of God who gathered at Jerusalem

in connection with the Feast of Trumpets

(Prophets and Kings,

page 661). The read-

ings continued for many days, so keen was

the interest and desire of the people to

know God's will.

There is a certain advantage to the read-

ing of God's Word in sweeping, panoramic

sequences, whether privately, in family

worship, or in study groups. This method

of study might be called "the telescopic

method," taking a lengthy, grand sweep of

the Bible, reading one book after another

in order.

How did the Ethiopian eunuch

study the prophets? Acts 8:26-38.

NOTE.—The eunuch sought to understand

of whom the inspired writer spoke. Philip

explained to him that it was Jesus, show-

ing that Isaiah 53 pointed to the suffering

Messiah. The eunuch believed and was

baptized. By a careful study of each por-

tion of the chapter he was led to the light.

This verse-by-verse Bible study is the best

method and has been called "the micro-

scopic method." There is also the "topical"

or "subject" approach, for which a good

concordance or Bible subject guide is help-

ful.

10.

How did the Bereans read the

Bible? Acts 17:11.

NOTE.—The noble Bereans read the Word

of God "daily." Theirs was not a hasty or

occasional or disconnected study.

God has given to some men and women

the gift of opening the Scriptures to

others. The labors of these men and women

should be respected. But no living human

being is to be considered an infallible in-

terpreter. The Bible explains itself, and we

should study it for ourselves and not read

it through the spectacles of others.

11.

What promise is made to those

who love the Lord? 1 Cor. 2:9-13.

NOTE.—"The mind will enlarge, if it is

employed in tracing out the relation of the

[12]

subjects of the Bible, comparing scripture

with scripture, and spiritual things with

spiritual. Go below the surface; the rich-

est treasures of thought are waiting for

the skillful and diligent

student."—Funda-

mentals of Christian Education,

page 127.

Key to the Kingdom

12. What did Jesus give to Peter?

Matt. 16:19. Compare Matt. 18:18;

John 20:22, 23.

NOTE.—"The 'keys' to the kingdom of

heaven are the words of Christ (see DA

413; cf. John 1:12; 17:3). It is important

to note that Christ Himself speaks of the

'key' here referred to as 'the key of

knowledge' of how to enter the kingdom

(see Luke 11:52). The words of Jesus are

'spirit' and 'life' to all who receive them

(see John 6:63). It is the words of Christ

that bring eternal life (see John 6:68). The

Word of God is the key to the new-birth

experience (1 Peter 1:23). . . .

"Christ simply bestowed upon Peter and

all the other disciples (see on Matt. 18:18;

John 20:23) the authority and power to

bring men into the kingdom. It was Peter's

perception of the truth that Jesus is in-

deed the Christ that placed the keys' of

the kingdom in his possession and let him

into the kingdom, and the same may be

said of all Christ's followers to the very

close of

time."—SDA Bible Commentary,

on Matt. 16:19.

13. What did Peter say that the un-

learned and unstable had done with

Paul's writings? 2 Peter 3:16 (last

part).

NOTE.—"If men would but take the Bi-

ble as it reads, if there were no false teach-

ers to mislead and confuse their minds, a

work would be accomplished that would

make angels glad and that would bring

into the fold of Christ thousands upon

thousands who are now wandering in er-

ror."—The

Great Controversy,

page 599.

"I take the Bible just as it is, as the In-

spired Word. I believe its utterances in an

entire

Bible."—Selected Messages,

Bk. 1,

p. 17.

Lesson 4, for October 25, 1969

The Two Books of God

MEMORY VERSE:

"How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, 0 God! how great

is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the

sand: when I awake, I am still with Thee." Ps. 139:17, 18.

STUDY HELPS:

"Christ's Object Lessons," page 24; "Education," pages 128-134;

"The Ministry of Healing," pages 458-466; "Testimonies," Vol. 8, pp. 255-

279, 326; "SDA Bible Commentary."

STUDY AIM:

To discover ways in which nature and revelation "bear the impress

of the same master mind and speak in harmony."

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. Divine Character of the Scriptures

God's Word pure and true.

Ps. 119:105, 140, 160; John 17:17.

A divine test. Isa. 8:19, 20;

1 Tim. 6:20; Col. 2:8.

II. God Speaks Through Natural Things

In the voice of nature.

Ps. 19:1, 2; 8:3, 4.

In things that are made.

Rom. 1:19, 20.

Figures of speech not to be

construed literally. Isa. 11:12

(last part) ; Rev. 7:1 (first part).

III. Testimony of Nature and Scripture

The Creator's power revealed in

nature. Ps. 33:6-9; Gen. 1:3, 6, 9.

God's Word interprets nature.

Matt. 6:25-34.

IV. Mysteries in Both Books

8. Infinite power and wisdom.

Job 42:1-6.

One reason why the Sadducees

erred. Matt. 22:23, 29.

10.

God revealed in Christ. Heb. 1:1-3.

V. Study With Divine Guidance

11.

Promise of the Spirit's help.

John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13.

12.

Remember the intruder! Gen. 3:1-6.

13.

A prayer for today. Ps. 119:18.

THE LESSON

Introduction

"Since the book of nature and the Book

of revelation bear the impress of the same

master mind, they cannot but speak in

harmony. By different methods, and in

different languages, they witness to the

same great truths. Science is ever dis-

covering new wonders; but she brings from

her research nothing that, rightly under-

stood, conflicts with divine revelation. The

book of nature and the Written Word

shed light upon each other. They make

us acquainted with God by teaching us

something of the laws through which He

works."-Education,

page 128.

Divine Character of the Scriptures

What is the Word of God said

to be? Ps. 119:105, 140, 160; John

17:17.

NOTE.-"He

who has a knowledge of

God and His Word through personal ex-

perience has a settled faith in the divinity -

of the Holy Scriptures. He has proved

that God's Word is truth, and he knows

that truth can never contradict itself. He

does not test the Bible by men's ideas of

science; he brings these ideas to the test

of the unerring standard."-The

Ministry

of Healing,

page 462.

Whom are men to consult, and

against what are they to be on guard?

Isa. 8:19, 20; 1 Tim. 6:20; Col. 2:8.

NOTE.-"In

these days of peril we are

not to accept everything that men bring

to us as truth. . . . The Word of God

gives us a test whereby we may know

what is truth. The prophet says, 'To the

law and to the testimony: if they speak

not according to this word, it is because

there is no light in them.' (Isa. 8:20).

"From this statement it is evident that

it becomes us to be diligent Bible students,

that we may know what is according to

the law and the testimony. We are safe in

no other course of

action."-Selected Mes-

sages,

Bk. 2, p. 99.

God Speaks Through Natural

Things

What sources teach important

knowledge? Ps. 19:1, 2; 8:3, 4.

NoTE.-"Day to day pours forth speech,

and night to night declares knowledge."

Ps. 19:2, RSV. Correctly understood, all

Biblical observations touching the opera-

tion of natural law in earth and sky are

in harmony with true scientific findings.

How is the power and Godhead

of the Creator revealed? Rom. 1:19,

20. Compare Isa. 40:26.

NoTE.-The power, wisdom, love, and

glory of God are revealed through His

creation. And "all true science is but an

interpretation of the handwriting of God

in the material

world."-Patriarchs and

Prophets,

page 599.

What figure of speech is em-

ployed with reference to the earth?

Isa. 11:12 (last part); Rev. 7:1 (first

part).

[14]

NoTE.—The expression "four corners of

the earth" is a figure of speech. But in

medieval times theologians interpreted these

scriptures literally and taught that the

earth was flat and had corners! Not until

navigators and astronomers of the fifteenth

and sixteenth centuries exposed this error

and established the fact that the earth is

spherical was this false view abandoned. In

this instance, scientific truth led the theo-

logians, eventually, to correct a false in-

terpretation. Science often brings help from

the book of nature to enlighten the chil-

dren of God.

This and other theological errors ac-

count, in part, for the fact that scientists

came to regard the Bible as unreliable and

unauthoritative. Though this reaction was

almost as unreasonable as the erroneous

Biblical interpretations, it nevertheless

points up the urgent importance of sound

Bible scholarship. Satan uses erroneous

views to prejudice minds against the truths

of the Word and to destroy souls. Wrote

Ellen White:

"It is true that many theories and doc-

trines popularly supposed to be derived

from the Bible have no foundation in its

teaching, and indeed are contrary to the

whole tenor of inspiration. These things

have been a cause of doubt and perplexity

to many minds. They are not, however,

chargeable to God's Word, but to man's

perversion of

it."—Steps to Christ,

pages

108, 109.

Testimony of Nature

and Scripture

6. By whose word did all things in

heaven and earth spring forth? Ps. 33:

6-9; Gen. 1:3, 6, 9. Compare John

1:1-3, 14.

NoTE.—"The work of creation can never

be explained by science. What science can

explain the mystery of life?

"The theory that God did not create

matter when He brought the world into

existence is without foundation. In the

formation of our world, God was not in-

debted to preexisting matter. On the con-

trary, all things, material or spiritual,

stood up before the Lord Jehovah at His

voice and were created for His own pur-

pose. The heavens and all the host of them,

the earth and all things therein, are not

only the work of His hand; they came

into existence by the breath of His mouth."

—Testimonies,

Vol. 8, pp. 258, 259.

How did Jesus illumine nature

and correctly interpret its lessons?

Matt. 6:25-34.

Nom—The words of Christ, whether

spoken directly by Himself or by His

prophets, are the key to unlock nature's

lessons, and nature in turn throws light

on the Bible.

Mysteries in Both Books

What does Job say concerning

the Creator's knowledge and power?

Job 42:1-6. Compare Col. 2:2 (last

part), 3.

NOTE.—"Skeptics refuse to believe in

God because with their finite minds they

cannot comprehend the infinite power by

which He reveals Himself to men. But

God is to be acknowledged more from

what He does not reveal of Himself than

from that which is open to our limited

comprehension. Both in divine revelation

and in nature, God has given to men

mysteries to command their faith. This

must be so. We may be ever searching,

ever inquiring, ever learning, and yet there

is an infinity

beyond."—Testimonies,

Vol.

8, p. 261.

Why did the Sadducees err in

their religious understanding? Matt.

22:23, 29.

NOTE.—"Because they cannot fathom all

its mysteries, the skeptic and the infidel

reject God's Word; and not all who pro-

fess to believe the Bible are free from

danger on this point. The apostle says,

`Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any

of you an evil heart of unbelief, in de-

parting from the living God.' Hebrews

3:12. It is right to study closely the teach-

ings of the Bible and to search into 'the

deep things of God' so far as they are

revealed in Scripture. 1 Corinthians 2:10.

While 'the secret things belong unto the

Lord our God,' those things which are

revealed belong unto us.' Deuteronomy

29:29."—Steps to Christ,

page 108.

10.

What do the Scriptures say con-

cerning the revelation of God in

Christ? Heb. 1:1-3.

Nom—Appearing on earth as "the ex-

press image" of the Father's person, Christ

represented God in His totality—His per-

sonal being, His character, His power, His

love, His wisdom, and His justice. The

revelation of God in the incarnation of

Christ and in the Scriptures was essential.

Nature unaided could not reveal Him to

perfection.

Study With Divine Guidance

11.

Whom has God appointed to

aid in the study of truth? John 14:26;

15:26; 16:13.

NoTE.—"As the works of God are stud-

ied, the Holy Spirit flashes conviction into

the mind. It is not the conviction that

logical reasoning produces; but unless the

mind has become too dark to know God,

the eye too dim to see Him, the ear too

dull to hear His voice, a deeper meaning is

grasped, and the sublime, spiritual truths

of the Written Word are impressed on the

heart."—Christ's Object Lessons,

page 24.

12.

How did Satan in the begin-

ning interpose to destroy confidence

in God and His word? Gen. 3:1-6.

NOTE.—"Satan addressed her [Eve] with

a question that looked innocent but was

full of cunning. . . . Satan intended that

his words should be indefinite and ambigu-

ous. His purpose was obvious. He wished to

sow doubt in the heart of the woman con-

cerning the real phraseology and the ex-

act meaning of the divine commandment,

especially concerning the reasonableness and

justice of such a command."—SDA

Bible

Commentary,

on Gen. 3:1.

Satan's subtle question was designed to

make the word of God and the testimony

of nature ambiguous and vague to our

first parents. So he works today, introduc-

ing questions of doubt and uncertainty to

unsettle the faith of young and old in

divine revelation.

13.

What request did the psalmist

make? Ps. 119:18. Compare Ps. 139:

17, 18 (first part).

NOTE.—This is really a prayer for di-

vine guidance in the understanding of all

the truth in God's great storehouse and

treasury of truth, scientific discoveries as

well as the truths clearly taught in the

Bible.

Lesson 5, for November 1, 1969

The Sure Word of Prophecy

MEMORY VERSE:

"We have

also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do

well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the

day dawn, and the daystar arise in your hearts." 2 Peter 1:19.

STUDY HELPS:

"Education," pages 173-184; "The Great Controversy," chapters 18,

19; "SDA Bible Dictionary," pages 882, 883; "SDA Bible Commentary."

STUDY AIM:

(1) To uncover the prophetic character of certain parts of

the Scrip-

tures. (2) To discover the basic principles of prophetic interpretation.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Bible a Book of Predictive

Prophecy

The first and last prophecies.

Gen. 3 :15 ; Rev. 22 :20.

The last book a prophecy of the

future. Rev. 1:1.

A study of Daniel and the Reve-

lation commended. Matt. 24:15 ;

Rev. 1:3.

II. Dependability of Bible Prophecy

The prophetic Word made sure.

2 Peter 1:19.

The prophets "moved" by God's

Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21.

6. The prophets study the prophets.

1 Peter 1:10.

7. The Spirit of Christ in the

prophets. 1 Peter 1:11, 12.

8. Established in "present truth."

2 Peter 1:12 (last part).

III. Basic Principles of Prophetic

Interpretation

9. The Bible its own expositor.

1 Cor. 2:12, 13.

10. No private interpretation.

2 Peter 1:20.

11. Interpreting figurative prophecies.

Daniel 2; 7 to 9; Revelation 10

to 14.

12. Wisdom for those who ask.

Deut. 29:29.

13. Progressive revelation of truth.

James 1:5-8.

THE LESSON

Introduction

The word "prophecy" as used in the Bi-

ble,

e.g.,

Rom. 12:6, refers to every mes-

sage from God, whatever its nature. In a

more limited sense the word is commonly

used in referring to predictions of future

events.

"Scripture plainly presents prediction as

a manifestation of God's power glorifying

His Person, exalting His redemptive work

in Christ and setting forth the divine char-

acter of His revealed Word. The words of

fulfilled prophecies with regard to the

first advent of Christ speak of the wisdom

and power of God in interposing for man's

need. Scripture not only presents the

prophetic word as a demonstration of God's

power and wisdom but His response to

man's need. Since man is ignorant of what

a day may bring forth, the revelation of

not only God's will for the present but the

disclosure of His plans and purposes for

the future are of inestimable benefit to

the believer. In the light of

—

these facts,

widespread neglect of Biblical prophecy is

not only tragic but inexcusable."—Unger's

Bible Dictionary,

page 894.

The Bible a Book of

Predictive Prophecy

Locate the first and the last

prophecies in the Holy Scriptures.

Gen. 3:15; Rev. 22:20.

NOTE .—The first predictive prophecy

found in the, first book of the Bible, Gene-

sis, foretells the first advent of Christ and

Christ's smiting of the serpent's head by

means of His victory on the cross. The

predictive prophecies of the last book of

the Bible forecast the second coming of

Christ, the day of the Lord, and the de-

liverence of the saints. Between Genesis

and Revelation are to be found hundreds

of prophetic predicitions which (1) have

meaning today, (2) have met fulfillment

in the past, or (3) will be fulfilled in the

future.

What words introduce the

prophetic book of Revelation? Rev.

1:1.

[ 17

Nora.—"The book of Revelation opens

to the world what has been, what is, and

what is to come; it is for our instruction

upon whom the ends of the world are come.

It should be studied with reverential awe."

—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible

Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 954.

What is said of those who read

the books of Daniel and the Revela-

tion? Matt. 24:15; Rev. 1:3.

NOTE.—"When the books of Daniel and

Revelation are better understood, believers

will have an entirely different religious

experience. . .

"One thing will certainly be understood

from the study of Revelation—that the

connection between God and His people

is close and

decided."—Testimonies to

Ministers,

page 114.

Dependability of Bible Prophecy

What word of confidence did

Peter express? 2 Peter 1:19.

How were the prophecies of the

Scriptures given? 2 Peter 1:21.

NoTE.—The Old Testament and the New

Testament prophets were "moved" by the

Holy Ghost. In Acts 27:15, 17 Luke uses

the same word of a ship being driven be-

fore the wind. "The prophets were borne

along by the Spirit as a ship is borne along

by a wind. They were entirely under the

Spirit's motivation."—SDA

Bible Commen-

tary,

on 2 Peter 1:21.

What did the prophets seek to

know? 1 Peter 1:10.

NoTE.—"Enquired.

Or, 'sought out,' a

reference to the diligent study by the

prophets of divine utterances, doubtless

their own along with those of their fellow

prophets, particularly with respect to the

coming of the Redeemer. The possession

of the prophetic gift does not imply full

and complete knowledge on all matters.

The prophet knows only that which God

has revealed to him, and only this is he

permitted to set forth as a 'Thus saith the

Lord.' Since the messages to one prophet

often complement those given to others, it

becomes necessary to compare the various

revelations in order to get a balanced and

comprehensive view of the messages from

Heaven. This the ancient prophets did."—

SDA Bible Commentary,

on 1 Peter 1:10.

Whose Spirit was operating in

the prophets? 1 Peter 1:11, 12.

NoTE.—"What a lesson to the people

of God in the Christian age, for whose

benefit these prophecies were given to His

servants! 'Unto whom it was revealed, that

not unto themselves, but unto us they did

minister.' Witness those holy men of God

as they 'inquired and searched diligently'

concerning revelations given them for gen-

erations that were yet unborn. Contrast

their holy zeal with the listless unconcern

with which the favored ones of later ages

treat this gift of Heaven. What a rebuke

to the ease-loving, world-loving indifference

which is content to declare that the proph-

ecies cannot be understood

!"—The Great

Controversy,

page 344.

In what did Peter say those to

whom he was writing were estab-

lished? 2 Peter 1:12 (last part).

NorE.—The "present truth" is the truth

possessed by the church at any given time

in church history—the revealed truth for

that time. In apostolic times, the recent

first advent of Jesus—His coming, His

life, His death, and His resurrection—con-

stituted "present truth" for that era. These

events had fulfilled a host of Old Testa-

ment predictions. In our day, the three

angels' messages, which include the gospel

of the first advent and of the imminence

of the second advent, are "present truth."

Basic Principles of Prophetic

Interpretation

What principle is stated by Paul?

1 Cor. 2:12, 13.

[

18]

NOTE.—A dozen principles of interpre-

tation are stated in the following inspired

paragraph. Can you locate them?

"The Bible is its own expositor. Scrip-

ture is to be compared with scripture. The

student should learn to view the Word as

a whole, and to see the relation of its

parts. He should gain a knowledge of its

grand central theme, of God's original pur-

pose for the world, of the rise of the great

controversy, and of the work of redemp-

tion. He should understand the nature of

the two principles that are contending for

supremacy, and should learn to trace their

working through the records of history

and prophecy, to the great consummation.

He should see how this controversy enters

into every phase of human experience; how

in every act of life he himself reveals the

one or the other of the two antagonistic

motives; and how, whether he will or not,

he is even now deciding upon which side

of the controversy he will be found."—

Education,

page 190.

10.

What does Peter say about

prophecy? 2 Peter 1:20.

NoTE.—Peter here declares that no Bible

prophecy reflects the private opinion of the

prophet; as he hastens to state, these holy

men of old were moved by the Holy Ghost

as they wrote. Surely, if those who wrote

the Bible were not permitted to inject their

own ideas into it, we who read what they

wrote have no right to inject our private

ideas into a passage of Scripture and then

claim for our private ideas the authority

of Scripture.

11.

What figurative prophecies

were given in the Old and New Tes-

taments to delineate world events with

relationship to the close of time?

Daniel 2; 7 to 9; Revelation 10 to 14.

NoTE.—The great nations of antiquity

were represented by the metallic image of

, Daniel 2, also by the four figurative beasts

of Daniel 7. Ellen White wrote: "The lan-

guage of the Bible should be explained ac-

cording to its obvious meaning, unless a

symbol or figure is employed."—The

Great

Controversy,

page 599.

12.

To whom do the revelations of

God belong? Deut. 29:29.

NOTE.—"We may not, in this life, be

able to explain the meaning of every pas-

sage of Scripture; but there are no vital

points of practical truth that will be

clouded in mystery. When the time shall

come, in the providence of God, for the

world to be tested upon the truth for that

time, minds will be exercised by His Spirit

to search the Scriptures, even with fasting

and with prayer, until link after link is

searched out and united in a perfect chain.

Every fact which immediately concerns the

salvation of souls will be made so clear that

none need err or walk in darkness."—

Testimonies,

Vol. 2, p. 692.

13.

What instruction given by

James with respect to wisdom for

meeting trials is valid also in asking

for wisdom to understand the Bible?

James 1:5-8.

NorE.—"Those who are teaching the

most solemn message ever given to the

world, should discipline the mind to com-

prehend its significance. The theme of re-

demption will bear the most concentrated

study, and its depth will never be fully

explored. You need not fear that you will

exhaust this wonderful theme. Drink deep

of the well of salvation. Go to the foun-

tain for yourself, that you may be filled

with refreshment, that Jesus may be in

you a well of water, springing up unto

everlasting life. Only Bible truth and Bible

religion will stand the test of the

judg-

ment."—Fundamentals of Christian Edu-

cation,

page 127.

"Those who rejoice in the

precious light of truth

should feel a burning desire

to have it sent everywhere."

—Counsels on Stewardship,

page 42.

[ 19

Lesson 6, for November 8, 1969

The Historical Bible

MEMORY VERSE:

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for

our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might

have hope." Rom. 15:4.

STUDY HELPS:

"Education," pages 146-158, 51-70; "Patriarchs and Prophets,"

pages 44-51, 90-104; "Fundamentals of Christian Education," pages 84, 85;

"SDA Bible Dictionary," pages 230-234, 342, 343, 354-358, 473-480.

STUDY AIM:

To discover the relevancy for today of the historical Biblical record.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. A True Record of Creation

Our world "in the beginning."

Gen. 1:1-5, 31; 2:1-4.

The origin of man. Gen. 1:27;

2:7; 5:1, 2; Luke 3:38.

Jesus affirms creation story.

Mark 10:6-8.

II. An Accurate Record of Human

Catastrophes

The catastrophe of man's fall.

Gen. 2:15-17; 3:1-7, 22-24.

The Noachian Deluge. Gen. 6:5-8,

17, 13, 14; 7:1, 11-13, 17-24;

8:15-19.

III. A Comprehensive View of History

God's purpose for the races of

men. Acts 17:24-30.

Object of human governments.

Dan. 4:10-12, 20-22, 27.

End of a rebellious empire.

Jer. 51:12, 13, 63, 64; Isa. 13:19;

14:22, 23.

Final overthrow of earthly

dominions. Dan 2:44; 7:27.

10.

Reliability of God's Word; for

our learning. John 17:17;

Rom. 15:4.

IV. The Future in God's Hand

11.

Certainty assured for Israel.

Ezek. 12:27, 28.

12.

Solemn events ahead.

Matt. 24:6, 7.

13.

Enduring quality of God's Word.

1 Peter 1:24, 25.

THE LESSON

Introduction

"We are dependent on the Bible for a

knowledge of the early history of our

world, of the creation of man, and of his

fall. Remove the Word of God, and what

can we expect than to be left to fables

and conjectures, and to that enfeebling of

the intellect which is the sure result of

entertaining error. We need the authentic

history of the origin of the earth, of the

fall of the covering cherub, and of the

introduction of sin into our world. With-

out the Bible, we should be bewildered by

false theories. The mind would be sub-

jected to the tyranny of superstition and

falsehood. But having in our possession an

authentic history of the beginning of our

world, we need not hamper ourselves with

human conjectures and unreliable theories."

—Medical Ministry,

page 89.

A True Record of Creation

1. What does the inspired historian

say concerning our world "in the be-

ginning"? Gen. 1:1-5, 31; 2:1-4. Com-

pare Ps. 33:6, 9.

[ 20 ]

NOTE.—"Just how God accomplished the

work of creation He has never revealed to

men; human science cannot search out the

secrets of the Most High. His creative

power is as incomprehensible as His ex-

istence. . . .

"It may be innocent to speculate beyond

what God's Word has revealed, if our

theories do not contradict facts found in

the Scriptures; but those who leave the

Word of God, and seek to account for His

created works upon scientific principles,

are drifting without chart or compass

upon an unknown

ocean."—Patriarchs and

Prophets,

page 113.

What does the Bible teach about

the origin of man? Gen. 1:27; 2:7;

5:1, 2; Luke 3:38. Compare Eccl. 7:29.

NOTE.—"Akin to the theory concerning

the evolution of the earth is that which at-

tributes to an ascending line of germs,

mollusks, and quadrupeds the evolution of

man, the crowning glory of the creation.

"When consideration is given to man's

opportunities for research; how brief his

life; how limited his sphere of action; how

restricted his vision; how frequent and

how great the errors in his conclusions,

especially as concerns the events thought to

antedate Bible history; how often the sup-

posed deductions of science are revised or

cast aside; with what readiness the as-

sumed period of the earth's development is

from time to time increased or diminished

by millions of years; and how the theories

advanced by different scientists conflict

with one another,—considering all this,

shall we, for the privilege of tracing our

descent from germs and mollusks and apes,

consent to cast away that statement of

Holy Writ, so grand in its simplicity, 'God

created man in His own image, in the

image of God created He him'? Genesis

1:27. Shall we reject that genealogical

record,—prouder than any treasured in the

courts of kings,—'which was the son of

Adam, which was the son of God'? Luke

:38."—Education,

page 130.

How did Jesus affirm the truth

of the Mosaic record of man's crea-

tion? Mark 10:6-8. Compare Gen.

1:27, 28; 2:22-25.

NOTE.—"Neither evolution nor special

creation of basic types can be demon-

strated in the laboratory. This situation has

existed as far back as authentic records

extend. Therefore, the scientists (and many

famous names appear here) who are as-

serting today that evolution of new basic

types is as completely demonstrated as is

the shape of our earth are completely

wrong. If they would be truthful they

would have to say, 'We cannot

prove

in the

laboratory that evolution of new basic

types has occurred, or is occurring, but

we believe

such to be the case.' "—Frank

L. Marsh,

Evolution or Special Creation?

page 4.

An Accurate Record of Human

Catastrophes

What great catastrophe befell

man in the Garden of Eden? Gen.

2:15-17; 3:1-7, 22-24. Compare Ro-

mans 5:12, 21; 1 Cor. 15:21, 22.

NoTE.—According to Bible history a suc-

cession of falls and curses have occurred

on the earth.

"The first curse was pronounced upon

the posterity of Adam and upon the earth,

because of disobedience. The second curse

came upon the ground after Cain slew

his brother Abel. The third most dreadful

curse from God, came upon the earth at

the

Flood."—Spiritual Gifts,

Vol. 4, p. 121.

What calamity overtook the

world in Noah's day? Gen. 6:5-8, 17,

13, 14; 7:1, 11-13, 17-24; 8:15-19.

NOTE.—"Apart from Bible history, geol-

ogy can prove nothing. . . . In the history

of the Flood, inspiration has explained that

which geology alone could never fathom.

In the days of Noah, men, animals, and

trees, many times larger than now exist,

were buried, and thus preserved as an evi-

dence to later generations that the ante-

diluvians perished by a flood. God designed

that the discovery of these things should

establish faith in inspired history; but

men, with their vain reasoning, fall into

[ 21 ]

the same error as did the people before

the Flood—the things which God gave them

as a benefit, they turn into a curse by

making a wrong use of

them."—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

page 112.

A Comprehensive View of

History

What does Paul say of the crea-

tion of the world and man and of

the distribution of nations? Acts 17:

24-30.

NOTE.—"Paul is stating the historical

truth that all men, and consequently all

nations, sprang from one common ancestor,

Adam. . . . But there was no place in

Paul's theology for a 'superior' race. He

believed the Genesis account of the crea-

tion of man. He saw the oneness of physical

structure, of potential or actual develop-

ment, which forbids any one race or nation

—Hebrew, Hellenic, Latin, or Teutonic—to

assume that it is the cream and flower of

humanity. Compare Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11,

where Paul stresses the unity achieved

through belief in Christ. The Christian is

doubly obligated to recognize the oneness

of men—through creation and through

salvation."—SDA

Bible Commentary,

Acts 17:26.

What impressive dream did King

Nebuchadnezzar have, and what did

Daniel say it signified? Dan. 4:10-12,

20-22, 27. Compare 2 Sam. 23:3, 4.

NOTE.—"To Nebuchadnezzar the king

the true object of national government

was represented under the figure of a

great tree. . . . This representation shows

the character of a government that fulfills

God's purpose—a government that protects

and upbuilds the nation.

"God exalted Babylon that it might ful-

fill this purpose. Prosperity attended the

nation until it reached a height of wealth

and power that has never since been

equaled—fitly represented in the Scriptures

by the inspired symbol, a 'head of gold.'

Dan. 2:38.

"But the king failed of recognizing the

power that had exalted him. . . . To the

ruler of Babylon came the sentence of the

divine Watcher: '0 king, to thee it is

spoken; The kingdom is departed from

thee.' Dan.

4:31."—Education,

pages 175,

176.

8. What was predicted concerning

the latter end of Babylon? Jer. 51:12,

13, 63, 64; Isa. 13:19; 14:22, 23.

NOTE.—"Every nation that has come

upon the stage of action has been permitted

to occupy its place on the earth, that it

might be seen whether it would fulfill the

purpose of 'the Watcher and the Holy

One.' Prophecy has traced the rise and

fall of the world's great empires—Babylon,

Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. With each

of these, as with nations of less power,

history repeated itself. Each had its period

of test, each failed, its glory faded, its

power departed, and its place was oc-

cupied by another."—Education, pages 176,

177.

In what language was the final

overthrow of all earthly dominions

foretold? Dan. 2:44; 7:27. Compare

Ezek. 21:26, 27.

NOTE.—"The final overthrow of all

earthly dominions is plainly foretold in

the Word of truth. In the prophecy uttered

when sentence from God was pronounced

upon the last king of Israel is given the

message: [Ezek. 21:26, 27 quoted]. That

time is at

hand."—Education,

page 179.

10.

What did Jesus say concerning

God's Word? What reason is given

for studying the Scriptures? John 17:

17; Rom. 15:4.

NOTE.—"Thy Word is truth." This is

true of the historical records of the Bible

as well as of its teachings. Whether the in-

spired writings deal with men as individuals

[

]

or with nations, the truth is told. There

is no glossing over the record. Even the

sins of God's servants and His judgments

upon them are revealed. There are also

strong archaeological proofs that the Bib-

lical records are true.

"Many critical scholars admit today that

the Bible has to be treated with greater

respect since the archaeological evidence

has shown how accurate its records are."

—L. E. Froom,

Our Firm Foundation,

Vol.

1, pp. 62, 63.

The Future in God's Hand

11. What words of certainty con-

cerning the fulfillment of Ezekiel's

prophecies did God speak to the

house of Israel? Ezek. 12:27, 28.

NOTE.—"All that prophecy has foretold

as coming to pass, until the present time,

has been traced on the pages of history,

and we may be assured that all which

is yet to come will be fulfilled in its order."

—Education,

page 178.

12.

What prophecy of international

significance did Jesus give? Man. 24:

6, 7.

13.

For how long will God's Word

endure? 1 Peter 1:24, 25.

NOTE.—"From the rise and fall of nations

as made plain in the pages of Holy Writ,

they need to learn how worthless is mere

outward and worldly glory. Babylon, with

all its power and its magnificence, the like

of which our world has never since be-

held,—power and magnificence which to

the people of that day seemed so stable

and enduring,—how completely has it

passed away ! As 'the flower of the grass'

it has perished. So perishes all that has

not God for its foundation. Only that

which is bound up with His purpose and

expresses His character can endure. His

principles are the only steadfast things our

world

knows."—Education,

page 183.

Lesson 7, for November 15, 1969

Conditional Prophecy

MEMORY VERSE: "0

the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge

of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!"

Rom. 11:33.

STUDY HELPS:

Jonah 1 to

Isaiah

38, 39;

"Prophets and Kings," pages 531-533,

551, 552; "Selected Messages," Bk. 2, p. 102; "Counsels on Sabbath School

Work," page 23; "Testimonies," Vol. 2, pp.

147, 148;

"SDA Bible Commen-

tary."

STUDY AIM:

To ascertain the conditions upon which the promises and threaten-

ings of the Scriptures are based.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Future Unfolded

1. Immutability of God's purposes.

Prov. 19:21.

[

23]

The shape of things to come.

Isa. 46:9, 10.

Cyrus the deliverer.

Isa. 44:24-28; 45:1-3.

The divine-human struggle.

Dan. 10:1, 5-7, 12, 13, 18-21.

God's Word confirmed.

Isa. 44:24, 25, 26 (first part).

II. Predicted Benefits Conditional

on Obedience

Changed fulfillment resulting from

disobedience. Jer. 18:9, 10.

Changed fulfillment resulting from

obedience. Jer. 18:7, 8.

III. Examples of Threatenings

Unfulfilled

8. The prophecy of Jonah.

Jonah 3:1, 4.

No stated prospects of mercy.

Jonah 3:4 (last part).

10.

A revelation of God's character.

Jonah 4:1, 2.

11.

Reversal of a divine pronounce-

ment. 2 Kings 20:1-6.

12.

A promise postponed. Ex. 6:2-8;

Num. 14:26-34.

13.

A nation laid aside.

Dan. 5:1-6, 25-28, 30, 31.

THE LESSON

Introduction

"God's Word is sure (Isa. 40:8; 55:11;

Rom. 11:29), and His plan for the sal-

vation of man will ultimately prevail (Isa.

46:10). With Him there is `no variableness,

neither shadow of turning' (James 1:17).

He is 'the same yesterday, and today, and

forever' (Heb. 13:8). His word `endureth

forever' (1 Peter 1:25). Eventually God's

purposes will prevail and the plan of sal-

vation will succeed, irrespective of the

failure of any person or group (PK 705,

706). The plan itself never changes because

God never changes. But the manner in

which it is carried out may change because

man may change. The fickle human will is

the weak, unstable factor in conditional

prophecy."—SDA

Bible Commentary,

Vol.

4, p. 34.

"It should be remembered that the prom-

ises and threatenings of God are alike

conditional."—Selected

Messages,

Bk. 1,

p. 67.

The Future Unfolded

1. How are the divine purposes

contrasted with human plans? Prov.

19:21. Compare Heb. 6:17; Acts 5:

38, 39.

NoTE.—The Revised Standard Version

renders Proverbs 19:21: "Many are the

plans in the mind of a man, but it is the

purpose of the Lord that will be estab-

lished." The author of Hebrews speaks of

"the immutability of His counsel." Heb.

6:17. This means the "unchangeableness

of His purpose" as contrasted with man's

ambitious designs, his changing whims and

fancies.

With regard to "things that are

not yet done," what does the Lord do?

Isa. 46:9, 10. Compare Isa. 44:6-8.

What was foretold concerning

Cyrus? Isa. 44:24-28; 45:1-3.

NOTE.—"Cyrus was a 'shepherd' to the

scattered flock of Israel, but a ravenous

bird of prey to Babylon, the enemy of

God's people. . . .

"God would one day deliver His people

from Babylon, through Cyrus (ch. 45:13).

The deliverance from Babylon is a type

of the greater deliverance from sin accom-

plished through Christ.

"The Babylonian captivity was to be

for a period of 70 years (Jer. 25:11, 12;

29:10), at the close of which the Jews

were to return to their homeland under

Cyrus' decree (2 Chron. 36:21-23; Ezra 1:

1-4)."—SDA Bible Commentary,

on Isa.

46:11.

What struggle ensued over the

proclamation of Cyrus's decree for

the return of the exiled Jews? Dan.

10:1, 5-7, 12, 13, 18-21.

NoTE.—"While Satan was striving to

influence the highest powers in the king-

dom of Medo-Persia to show disfavor to

God's people, angels worked in behalf of

[24

]

the exiles. The controversy was one in

which all heaven was interested. Through

the prophet Daniel we are given a glimpse

of this mighty struggle between the forces

of good and the forces of evil. For three

weeks Gabriel wrestled with the powers

of darkness, seeking to counteract the in-

fluences at work on the mind of Cyrus;

and before the contest closed, Christ Him-

self came to Gabriel's aid. 'The prince of

the kingdom of Persia withstood me one

and twenty days,' Gabriel declares; 'but,

lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came

to help me; and I remained there with the

kings of Persia.' Daniel 10:13. All that

heaven could do in behalf of the people of

God was done. The victory was finally

gained ; the forces of the enemy were held

in check all the days of Cyrus, and all the

days of his son Cambyses, who reigned

about seven and a half

years."—Prophets

and Kings,

pages 571, 572.

This incident reveals the hand of God

in prophecy and history, yet the actors in

the unfolding historic drama acted with

freedom of choice and followed the course

of their own action. They were not robots

or machines moved by an irresistible force

toward a certain predetermined goal. God's

angels strove with Cyrus, urging a right

decision, and eventually he chose to co-

operate with the divine will.

How does God regard the word

spoken through His prophetic mes-

sengers? Isa. 44:24, 25, 26 (first part).

Compare Zech. 1:6.

NoTE.—God confirms the word of His

servants and performs the counsels of His

prophetic messengers. "He establishes the

reliability of true prophets. Their predic-

tions are fulfilled."—SDA

Bible Commen-

tary,

on Isa. 44:26. Even rebellious Israel

had to concede that God's word concern-

ing them had been fulfilled.

Predicted Benefits Conditional

on Obedience

What conditional aspect is in-

herent in the Lord's promises to the

children of men? Jer. 18:9, 10. Com-

pare Deut. 28:1-15, 58, 63, 64.

NOTE.—The sad story of Israel's failure,

captivity, and dispersion is the most poig-

nant illustration in sacred history of how

the divine principle enunicated in Jeremiah

18:9, 10 operates. If the conditions of

loyalty and obedience to the divine law

are not met by God's people, His bless-

ings are withheld; indeed, His judgments

will fall upon the disobedient. See Deut.

28:15-68. "The Jews were not to think

that their role as God's chosen people as-

sured them of continued divine favor, ir-

respective of whether or not they acted in

harmony with the divine

will."—SDA Bible

Commentary,

on Jer. 18:10.

What hope is extended to a sin-

ful people who repent of their evil

deeds? Jer. 18:7, 8. Compare Ezek.

18:21; 1 Kings 21:27-29; 2 Chron.

34:24-28.

NoTE.—Prosperity or adversity may come

to individuals, to cities, to states, dependent

upon right or wrong attitudes toward God

and His revealed will. Consider the mer-

cies extended to wicked Ahab when he

humbled himself before God; also, to King

Josiah in spite of the perversity of his

people.

"This is a moral universe, and . .. nations

stand or fall according to their relation-

ship to the moral law. If a nation conducts

its affairs uprightly, following the pre-

cepts of justice and mercy, it 'shall pros-

per' (Ps. 1:3). If, on the other hand, it

becomes tyrannical, gives itself wholly to

the material and secular values of life,

and disregards the norms of honest national

and international dealing, it 'shall perish'

(see Ps.

1:6)."—SDA Bible Commentary,

on Jer. 18:8.

Examples of Threatenings

Unfulfilled

What warning of impending

judgment did Jonah bring to the in-

habitants of Nineveh? Jonah 3:1-4.

NoTE.—Wicked Nineveh repented at the

preaching of Jonah (Jonah 3:5-10), and

the fulfillment of the prophecy, "Yet forty

[

]

days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown"

(Jonah 3:4), was postponed. The predic-

tion might have been canceled altogether

if the humbled Ninevites had forsaken

their idolatry and persisted in obeying the

true God.

Did the prophet Jonah's mes-

sage, as recorded in Scripture, offer

any stated prospect of divine mercy?

Jonah 3:4 (last part).

NOTE.—"It is doubtful that Jonah had

given any assurance of a possible reversal

of the divine decree. His anger at the spar-

ing of the city (ch. 4:1) indicates that he

had not."—SDA

Bible Commentary,

Jonah 3:9.

10.

What words in Jonah's prayer

indicate that he had long understood

God's mercy toward the erring?

Jonah 4:1, 2.

Nom—Jonah understood conditional

prophecy. He knew that all of God's

dealings with men reflect His merciful

character. He was more interested, how-

ever, in his own reputation—he did not

want to be regarded as a false prophet—

than in establishing the people of Nineveh

in the true knowledge of God's love and

goodness.

11.

What reversal of a divine pro-

nouncement occurred in the life of

Hezekiah? 2 Kings 20:1-6.

Nora.—"The normal course of the dis-

ease would bring certain death. The proph-

ecy was a forecast of the results that would

follow the circumstances as they existed at

that time. With an alteration in circum-

stances the prediction

was

changed (see v.

5). Some prophetic predictions are not

necessarily absolute but may be condi-

tional."—SD

A Bible Commentary,

on 2

Kings 20:1.

12.

The fulfillment of what prom-

ise made to Abraham and Moses con-

cerning ancient Israel was postponed

because of the sins of the people? Ex.

6:2-8; Num. 14:26-34. Compare Gen.

15:16.

NorE.—God's promise that Israel should

proceed immediately into the land of Ca-

naan in the fourth generation and thus

fulfill His purpose for them, was altered—

but not completely thwarted—by the un-

belief and murmuring of the people. It was

the fifth generation that Joshua led over

Jordan.

13.

Why did judgment come upon

ancient Babylon? Dan. 5:1-6, 25-28,

30, 31.

NorE.—"God may reject one nation or

group of people in favor of another if

those first summoned persistently refuse to

cooperate with Him."—SDA

Bible Com-

mentary,

Vol. 4, p. 34.

The advent people are subject to the

divine principles of God's government.

Some may lose their way and, in a time

of great testing soon to come, leave the

church, but those who remain faithful

will triumph with the church and be among

the redeemed.

For those who speak other languages, the senior "Sabbath

School Lesson Quarterly" is available in the following languages:

Armenian, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Finnish, French, German,

Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Polish, Portu-

guese, Russian, Serbian, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Ukrainian,

Yugoslav (Latin or Cyrillic type).

[ 26 ]

Lesson 8, for November 22, 1969

Prophecies Concerning Israel-I

MEMORY VERSE:

"Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the

children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved."

Rom. 9:27.

STUDY HELPS:

"Patriarchs and Prophets," pages 232, 447, 603; "The Acts of the

Apostles," pages 9-16; "Testimonies," Vol. 6, pp. 9, 10; "SDA Bible Dictio-

nary," article, "Israel," also pages 515-517, 8-11.

STUDY AIM:

To understand: (1) God's destiny for Israel', ancient and spiritual, as

revealed in Bible prophecy, and (2) the principles by which to interpret and

apply these prophecies.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. God's Plan for Ancient Israel

The plan announced to Abraham.

Gen. 12:1-3 ; 22:15-18.

The plan accepted by Israel.

Ex. 19:1-8; 24:3-8.

Rules for Israel's monarchy.

Deut. 17:14-20.

A happy, healthy society foreseen.

Deut. 4:5-8.

A world-embracing witness.

Deut. 26:19.

Opportunities for Israel's leaders.

1 Kings 10:1-9; 2 Kings 20:12-15.

God's purpose for Egypt and

Assyria. Isa. 19:18-25.

II. Israel's Failure to Implement

God's Plan

Why Israel was divided.

1 Kings 11:29-36.

How God was disappointed.

Isa. 5:1-7.

III. Promises of Postexilic Glory

10.

The covenant renewed.

Jer. 31:31-34.

11.

Promises of restoration.

Jer. 50:4, 5, 17-19; Isa. 27:12, 13.

IV. Israel Confronts the Messiah

12.

"His own received Him not."

John 1:11.

13.

Christ's death not in vain.

Matt. 21:33-43.

THE LESSON

called it forth. Remember that-generally

speaking-it was originally given with re-

spect to the historical circumstance that

called it forth. It was ordained of God to

meet the needs of His people at the time

it was given and to remind them of the

glorious destiny that awaited them as a

nation, of the coming of the Messiah, and

of the establishment of His eternal king-

dom. Discover what the message meant to

the people of that time. . . .

"2.

Observe the conditional aspects of

the prediction and ascertain whether or

not, or to what extent, the conditions were

met.

"3.

Discover what application later in-

spired writers make of the prophecy,

and

(271

Introduction

In the messages of the Old Testament

prophets are to be found guidance, com-

fort, and direction for the church today.

Many of these prophecies concerned Is-

rael; others applied to surrounding na-

tions. In order rightly to understand the

prophecies concerning Israel, certain sim-

ple rules need to be applied to each pro-

phetic passage. If this understanding can be

acquired, a major obstacle to a right un-

derstanding of the Bible will be removed.

The following guidelines are helpful:

"1. Examine the prophecy in its entirety.

Note by whom it was spoken, to whom it

was addressed, and the circumstances that

on this basis determine its possible signifi-

cance for God's people in this time.

"4. Remember that the record of God's

dealings with His people in ages past has

been recorded for the benefit of all later

generations to the end of time. Our study

of messages originally proclaimed by holy

men of old to the people of their day is

not to become an end in itself, but a

means of discovering the will of God for

all who would render Him truehearted

service now, at the climax of the ages.

The voice of God through the prophets

distinctly speaks to us today."—SDA

Bi-

ble Commentary,

Vol. 4, p. 38.

God's Plan for Ancient Israel

Whom did God call to be the

father of Israel, and "of all them that

believe"? Gen. 12:1-3; 22:15-18. Com-

pare Rom. 4:6-13.

NOTE.—"With the call of Abraham, God

set in operation a definite plan for bring-

ing the Messiah into the world and for

presenting the gospel invitation to all men

(Gen. 12:1-3; PP 125; PK 368). In Abra-

ham God found a man ready to yield un-

qualified obedience to the divine will (Gen.

26:5 ; Heb. 11:8) and to cultivate a simi-

lar spirit in his posterity (Gen 18:19).

Accordingly, Abraham became in a special

sense the 'Friend of God' (James 2:23) and

`the father of all them that believe' (Rom.

4:11)."—SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 4,

p. 26.

How did Abraham's descendants

respond to the divine call to enter

into covenant relationship with God?

Ex. 19:1-8; 24:3-8. Compare Deut. 7:

6-14.

NoTE.—Israel as a nation promised to be

obedient to God and to be the Lord's own

special people, through whom He planned

to make His truth known to the world.

Thus Israel entered into a theocratic form

of government directly under the divine

leadership.

Later when Israel set up a mon-

archy, what precautions were to be

observed? Deut. 17:14-20.

NOTE.—It was not until the leaders of

Israel rejected the Messiah and declared

that they had "no king but Caesar" (John

19:15) that Israel ceased to be a theocracy.

"By choosing a heathen ruler, the Jewish

nation had withdrawn from the theocracy.

They had rejected God as their king.

Henceforth they had no deliverer. They had

no king but Caesar."—Ilie

Desire of Ages,

pages 737, 738.

In what specific way did God

intend to use Israel as His witness to

the world? Deut. 4:5-8.

NoTE.—Israel was placed at the cross-

roads of the ancient world and equipped

with every facility to become the greatest

nation on the face of the earth. See

Christ's

Object Lessons,

page 288. The Jews were

to reveal to the heathen nations with whom

they were surrounded a superiority in spir-

itual, intellectual, physical, cultural, and

social growth. Israel's religious, govern-

mental, and economic maturity was to

stand out head and shoulders above the

systems of pagan nations. Thus the results

of Jehovah's laws and regulations were to

be seen in a happy, healthy, and holy

society of men. Jehovah's revealed will was

to be manifest in His people as represent-

ing a God of love, mercy, justice, and truth.

What was to be Israel's position

with respect to the nations? Deut.

26:19.

NOTE.—"Had Jerusalem known what it

was her privilege to know, and heeded the

light that Heaven sent her, she would have

stood forth in magnificent prosperity, 'the

queen of kingdoms,' the mighty metropolis

of the earth' (DA 577), and would, like a

noble vine, have filled 'the face of the

world with fruit' (Isa. 27:6). 'Had Israel

as a nation preserved her allegiance to

Heaven, Jerusalem would have stood for-

ever, the elect of God' (GC 19; cf. PK 46;

[ 28

Jer. 7:7;

17:25)."—SDA Bible Commen-

tary,

Vol. 4, p. 30.

Illustrate how opportunities were

provided for the rulers of Israel to

witness for God, and with what re-

sults. 1 Kings 10:1-9; 2 Kings 20:

12-15.

NOTE.—Solomon revealed to the Queen

of Sheba both the spiritual and material

treasures of his realm, and she was left

breathless by the spectacle. But Hezekiah

revealed only the treasures of gold. In do-

ing this he lost a glorious opportunity to

give the light of truth to the leaders of

Babylon.

What might have been the des-

tiny of Egypt and Assyria? Isa. 19:

18-25. Compare Jer. 18:7-10.

Israel's Failure to Implement

God's Plan

What circumstances led to Is-

rael's becoming a divided monarchy?

1 Kings 11:29-36. Compare 1 Kings

12:1-16.

How did the Lord lament Is-

rael's failure to carry out His plan?

Isa. 5:1-7. Compare Isa. 27:2, 3, 6.

Promises of Postexilic Glory

10.

While His people were in

Babylonian captivity, what promise

did God make to them? Jer. 31:31-34.

Compare Ezek. 36:21-26; Zech. 1:12-

17; 2:12.

11.

What promises of restoration

were made to Israel and Judah? Jer.

50:4, 5, 17-19; Isa. 27:12, 13.

NOTE.—These precious promises were to

have "met fulfillment in large measure

during the centuries following the return

of the Israelites from the lands of their

captivity. It was God's design that the

whole earth be prepared for the first advent

of Christ, even as today the way is pre-

paring for His second

coming."—Prophets

and Kings,

pages 703, 704.

"In spite of Israel's ultimate failure, a

limited knowledge of the true God and of

the Messianic hope was widespread when

the Saviour was born (see on Matt. 2:1).

If the nation had been faithful to its trust

and had appreciated the high destiny re-

served for it by God, the whole earth

would have awaited the coming of the

Messiah with eager expectancy. He would

have come. He would have died, and would

have risen again. Jerusalem would have be-

come a great missionary center (COL 232),

and the earth would have been set ablaze

with the light of truth in one grand, final

appeal to those who had not as yet ac-

cepted the invitation of divine mercy. God's

call to the nations would have been, 'Look

unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of

the earth' (Isa.

45:22)."—SDA Bible Com-

mentary,

Vol. 4, pp. 29, 30.

Israel Confronts the Messiah

12.

When the Messiah appeared to

save Israel, how did they regard Him?

John 1:11.

NOTE.-"At

the time of the Babylonian

captivity God had specifically announced

that that experience was not to mark 'a

full end' of Israel as God's people (Jer. 4:

27; 5:18; 46:28). But when the Jews re-

jected Christ there was no such assurance

of reinstatement. The present-day return

of the Jews to Palestine and the estab-

lishment of the modern state of Israel do

not imply such a reinstatement, either pres-

ent or future. Whatever the Jews, as a

nation, may do, now or in time to come,

is in no way related to the former promises

made to them. With the crucifixion of

Christ they forever forfeited their special

position as God's chosen people. Any idea

that the return of the Jews to their an-

cestral home, that is, to the new state of

Israel, may in any way be related to Bible

prophecy is . . . without valid Scriptural

[29

foundation."-SDA

Bible Commentary,

Vol. 4, p. 33.

13.

How will God's original plan

for Israel be realized? Matt. 21:33-43.

Compare 1 Peter 2:9, 10.

NOTE.

-"The

formal rejection of Jesus

by the Jews, as a nation, marked the close

of their last opportunity as the special

agents of God for the salvation of the

world. It was 'last of all' that God 'sent

unto them His Son,' according to Christ's

own words (Matt. 21:37), but they 'caught

Him' and 'slew Him' (v. 39). Thereafter,

God 'let out His vineyard [see Isa. 5:1-7]

unto other husbandmen' who would 'render

Him the fruits in their season.' . . . Upon

His final departure from the sacred pre-

cincts of the Temple, Jesus said, 'Your

house is left unto you desolate' (Matt. 23:

38). The day before, He had called it

'My house' (ch. 21:13), but henceforth He

no longer owned it as His. Jesus' own ver-

dict was, 'The kingdom of God shall be

taken from you, and given to a nation

bringing forth the fruits thereof.'

"-SDA

Bible Commentary,

Vol. 4, p. 35.

What a lesson for Christians today ! For

we are the "nation" that God has called to

"bring forth the fruits" that Israel should

have borne.

Lesson 9, for November 29, 1969

Prophecies 'Concerning Israel-II

MEMORY VERSE: "Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in re-

membrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in

the present truth." 2 Peter 1:12.

STUDY HELPS: "The Desire of Ages," pages 27-38; "The Acts of the Apostles,"

pages 593-602; "SDA Bible Commentary," Vol. 4, pp. 35, 36, and on lesson

texts.

STUDY AIM: To seek a better understanding: (1) of God's destiny for Israel, an-

dent and spiritual, as revealed in Bible prophecy, and (2) of the principles

by which to interpret and apply these prophecies.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

1. Glimpses of Ancient Israel's Glory

Early witnesses for God.

Deut. 34:7-12; 1 Sam. 3:19-21;

Dan. 1:19-21.

The influence of David and

Solomon. 1 Chron. 14:2, 17;

1 Kings 4:21-24, 29-34.

Place of the Christian Church

Messiah's coming foretold.

Isa. 11:1; 53:1-9.

Israel's fate described.

Matt. 22:2-10.

The gospel to all the world.

Matt. 24:14.

III. Prophecies Fulfilled in Spiritual

Israel

Abraham's seed identified.

Gal. 3:29.

An illustration of a principle.

Ezekiel 38; 39; Rev. 20:7-9.

A principle to remember.

1 Cor. 10:11.

Four prophetic categories.

(1) Jeremiah 27; 28; (2) Isa. 9:

6, 7; (3) Dan. 8:14; (4) Jer. 51:64.

10.

Joel's prophecy applied.

Acts 2:16, 17.

IV. Beware of False Prophets

11.

Results of their work. 2 Peter 2:1-3.

12.

Warning against misuse of

Scripture. 2 Peter 3:16.

130

THE LESSON

Introduction

"Seventh-day Adventists believe that,

generally speaking, the promises and pre-

dictions given through the Old Testament

prophets originally applied to literal Israel

and were to have been fulfilled to them on

the condition that they obey God and re-

main loyal to Him. But the Scriptures

record the fact that they disobeyed God

and proved disloyal to Him instead. Ac-

cordingly, what He purposed to do for the

world through Israel of old He will finally

accomplish through His church on earth

today, and many of the promises originally

made to Israel will be fulfilled to His

remnant people at the close of

time."—

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 4, pp. 25, 26.

Glimpses of Ancient Israel's Glory

Who were some of the leaders

through whom the Lord witnessed in

ancient times? Deut. 34:7-12; 1 Sam.

3:19-21; Dan. 1:19-21.

NOTE.—The honor the nation of Israel

failed to achieve was reached at times by

individual Israelites who were faithful to

God.

To what position of eminence

did the Hebrew nation rise in the

days of David and Solomon? 1 Chron.

14:2, 17; 1 Kings 4:21-24, 29-34.

Place of the Christian Church

Cite prophecies linked to the

coming of the Messiah. Isa. 11:1; 53:

1-9.

NOTE.—"These repeated Messianic pre-

dictions were designed to lift the eyes of

the people from the transitory events of

their own time to the coming of Messiah

and the establishment of His eternal king-

dom, in order to afford them a view of the

things of time in the light of eternity. How-

ever, these messages pertaining to the then-

distant future were intended, not only to

inspire patience, comfort, and hope in the

day they were first given, but also to pro-

vide men of Christ's day with confirming

evidence of His Messiahship. The pro-

found conviction that the messages of the

prophets had been fulfilled led many to

believe in Christ as the Son of God

(DA

775, 799). The prophets thus provided a

firm foundation for the faith of the apos-

tolic church and made a direct and vital

contribution to the Christian faith."—SDA

Bible Commentary,

Vol. 4, p. 36.

By what parable did Jesus de-

scribe the fate of the nation that re-

jected Him? Matt. 22:2-10.

NoTE.—In parables Christ described Is-

rael's rejection of Himself as the Messiah

and the results of such rejection. "The

kingdom of God shall be taken from you,

and given to a nation bringing forth the

fruits thereof." Matt. 21:43. The Christian

church henceforth would become God's in-

strument to save the world. See 1 Peter

2:9, 10.

How extensive will be the proc-

lamation of the gospel? Matt. 24:14.

NOTE.—"The glorious promises originally

made to literal Israel are meeting their

fulfillment today in the proclamation of

"After the tithe is set apart,

let gifts and offerings be ap-

portioned, 'as God hath pros-

pered'

you."—Counsels on

Sabbath School Work,

page

130.

En]

the gospel to all men (PK 374, 375; GC

451; Rev. 14:6, 7). 'The blessings thus as-

sured to Israel are, on the same conditions

and in the same degree, assured to every

nation and to every individual under the

broad heavens' (PK 500, 501; cf. 298).

`The church in this generation has been

endowed by God with great privileges and

blessings, and He expects corresponding

returns. . . . In the lives of God's people

the truths of His Word are to reveal their

glory and excellence. Through His people

Christ is to manifest His character and the

principles of His kingdom' (COL 296)

."—

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol. 4, pp. 35, 36.

Prophecies Fulfilled in Spiritual

Israel

Through what means may men

become Abraham's seed? Gal. 3:29.

Compare Rom. 2:28, 29; 9:24-26.

NOTE.—"Paul emphasizes the fact that

the rejection of literal Israel as God's chosen

instrument for the salvation of the world

does not mean that individual Jews can

no longer be saved (chs. 9:6; 11:1, 2, 11

15), for he is a Jew himself (chs. 9:3; 10:1;

11:1, 2). But they are to be saved as

Christians and not as

Jews."—SDA Bible

Commentary,

Vol. 4, p. 35.

Cite an Old Testament prophecy

concerning the future of Israel, and

a New Testament text that reapplies

Ezekiel's prediction. Ezek. 38; 39;

Rev. 20:7-9.

NOTE.—"The prophecy of the battle of

Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38, 39 was

never fulfilled in literal Israel; but John

the revelator assures us that in principle,

though not necessarily in all details (such

as those of Eze. 39:9-15), this battle will

occur at the close of the millennium (Rev.

20:7-9). . . . Where Inspiration has not

thus clearly spoken it is our privilege to

compare scripture with scripture in an

endeavor to understand more perfectly the

mind of the Spirit."—SDA

Bible Commen-

tary,

Vol. 4, p. 37.

"The fundamental principle by which we

can tell unerringly when any particular

promise or prediction of the Old Testament

made originally to literal Israel is to meet

its fulfillment with respect to spiritual

Israel is—when a

later inspired writer

makes such an application of it."—Ibid.

For what purpose were the ex-

periences of ancient Israel recorded?

1 Cor. 10:11. Compare 1 Cor. 10:1-10;

Rom. 15:4.

NOTE.—"Many are casting contempt

upon the Old Testament Scriptures, but

these are not to lose their sacredness;

throughout all time they are not to be

dropped out of our instruction. Paul writes

concerning the experiences of the people

of God in ancient times, 'All these things

happened unto them for ensamples ; and

they are written for our admonition, upon

whom the ends of the world are come.'

The prophets spoke less for their own time

than for the ages which have followed,

and for our

own day."—Ellen G. White,

Signs of the Times,

April 2, 1896. (Italics

supplied).

Cite and classify various Old

Testament prophecies. (1) Jeremiah

27; 28; (2) Isa. 9:6, 7; (3) Dan. 8:14;

(4) Jer. 51:64. Compare Rev. 18:2, 21.

If you are a Sabbath-school teacher, you will find the Teach-

er's Edition of the "Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly" a great

help because a full blank page is provided for each page of

printed lesson copy for recording answers and additional notes.

Order from your Book and Bible House.

[ 32 ]

NOTE.—The following classification may

be helpful in the study of Old Testament

prophecies:

"1.

Those that grew out of and were

related only to the immediate historical

situation or to events soon to occur. Such

were Jeremiah's acted prophecy of the

wooden and iron yokes (ch. 28), his sym-

bolic purchase of a field near Anathoth

(ch. 32), and his prediction of the death

of the false prophet Hananiah (ch. 28:

15-17). . .

"2.

. . . Those that pointed forward

manifestly and exclusively to events re-

lated to the coming of the Messiah, such

as the prophetic statements of Isa. 9:6,

7; 40:3-5; 53; 61:1-3; Dan. 9; Zech. 9:9;

13:1, 6, 7.

"3.

Those prophecies of the book of

Daniel that deal primarily with historical

events of the remote future, that is, with

the Christian Era and the time of the end,

as specifically stated in the prophecies

themselves (Dan. 2:44; . . . 8:14). . . .

"4.

Those that have a dual application

—first, to a local, historical situation; sec-

ond, to the Messiah and to His Kingdom.

It is the prophecies of this fourth category

that are most likely to be misunderstood

and thus misapplied. Often this is because

of a failure to realize that certain proph-

ecies

have a dual aspect."—SDA

Bible

Commentary,

on Deut. 18:15.

10. What application did Peter

make of Joel's prophecy? Acts 2:16,

17. Compare Joel 2:28-32.

Beware of False Prophets

11.

What observation did Peter

make concerning false prophets? 2 Pe-

ter 2:1-3.

12.

Against what misuse of Scrip-

ture did Peter warn? 2 Peter 3:16.

NOTE.—"In an age when every wind of

doctrine is blowing it is well to make

certain that our understanding of Bible

prophecy rests upon a positive 'Thus saith

the Lord.' . . . In so doing we shall be

secure against the fanciful explanations

sometimes given certain Old Testament

prophecies. We shall be protected against

the grossly literal explanation of some ex-

positors concerning a supposed return of

literal Israel to literal Palestine to rule

the world for a thousand years prior to

the close of human probation, and also

against other equally unscriptural inter-

pretations that propose to apply allegor-

ically to the church all the details of the

promises originally made to literal Israel.

Both of these extreme methods wrest the

obvious intent of the Scriptures and render

a sound understanding of the messages of

the prophets for the church today un-

attainable."—SDA

Bible Commentary,

Vol.

4, p. 38.

Lesson 10, for December 6, 1969

Treasures New and Old

MEMORY VERSE:

"Then said He unto them, Therefore every scribe which is in-

structed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an house-

holder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old." Matt.

13:52.

STUDY HELPS:

"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 95-114, 124-134; "Christian Ser-

vice,"

pages 7-29; "SDA Bible Commentary."

STUDY AIM:

To seek to discover: (1) in both Old and New Testaments evidences

of inspired revelations of divine truth; (2) the progressive unfolding of truth;

and (3) the results of walking in its light.

[33

]

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Great Storehouse of Truth

New treasures and old.

Matt. 13:52.

Jesus accepted Old Testament as

authoritative. Matt. 4:4, 7, 10.

II. Opening God's Treasure Store

With a desire for knowledge.

Ps. 119:9-16.

To find heavenly treasure.

Matt. 13:44.

For spiritual insight. 1 Cor. 2:14.

With the will to obey.

1 Peter 1:22.

7. With the hope of sanctification.

John 17:17.

III. Receiving and Imparting Truth

8. The truth like mustard seed and

leaven. Luke 13:18-21.

9. Eating and drinking God's truth.

John 6:32-35.

10. Receiving and imparting.

John 6:5-13.

IV. Advancing in the Light

11. With opening understanding.

Eph. 1:15-19.

12. In the path of the just.

Prov. 4:18.

13. Cleansing from all sin.

1 John 1:7.

THE LESSON

Introduction

"The treasure gained by the householder

he does not hoard. He brings it forth to

communicate to others. And by use the

treasure increases. The householder has

precious things both new and old. So Christ

teaches that the truth committed to His

disciples is to be communicated to the

world. And as the knowledge of truth is

imparted, it will increase."-Christ's

Object

Lessons,

page 124.

The Great Storehouse of Truth

1. From what source does the

householder bring forth "things new

and old"? Matt. 13:52.

Nors.-"The great storehouse of truth

is the Word of God-the Written Word,

the book of nature, and the book of ex-

perience in God's dealing with human life.

Here are the treasures from which Christ's

workers are to

draw."-Christ's Object Les-

sons,

page 125.

"By the 'old,' Christ refers to all the

will of God as revealed 'in time past unto

the fathers by the prophets' (Heb. 1:1.

. .). By the 'new,' He refers to His own

teachings (see Heb. 1.•2



"It is important to note that neither

upon this occasion nor at any other time

did Jesus depreciate the value of the OT

Scriptures or even suggest that in the

future they were to have less force. . . .

The OT is not invalidated by the NT, but

amplified and given new life. Both were

inspired by Christ and both are full of

truth for the sincere seeker."-SDA

Bible

Commentary,

on Matt. 13:52.

How did Jesus show that He

accepted the authority of the Old

Testament Scriptures? Matt. 4:4, 7,

10. Compare Deut. 8:3 (last part);

Ps. 17:4.

Opening God's Treasure Store

In what manner are we to relate

ourselves to divine revelation? Ps.

119:9-16. Compare Ps. 19:9, 10.

How did Christ illustrate the

search for, and discovery of, heavenly

treasure? Matt. 13:44. Compare

verses 45, 46.

L34

]

NorE.—"This parable illustrates the value

of the heavenly treasure, and the effort

that should be made to secure it. The

finder of the treasure in the field was ready

to part with all that he had, ready to put

forth untiring labor, in order to secure

the hidden riches. So the finder of heavenly

treasure will count no labor too great and

no sacrifice too dear, in order to gain the

treasures of truth.

"In the parable the field containing the

treasure represents the Holy Scriptures.

And the gospel is the treasure. The earth

itself is not so interlaced with golden

veins and filled with precious things as is

the Word of

God."—Christ's Object Les-

sons,

page 104.

Why are the things of the

Spirit unappreciated by some? 1 Cor.

2:14. Compare 2 Cor. 4:3; John 3:

19-21; 9:39-41.

What effect is seen in the life of

one who obeys the truth? 1 Peter

1:22.

NorE.—"While your minds become sanc-

tified by obedience to the truth," is Mur-

dock's translation (Syriac New Testa-

ment). Willingness to do what God says is

a prerequisite to receiving the life-giving

benefits of God's Word. Having learned

the truth it is essential to act upon it at

once. See Acts 8:27-38.

In His prayer how did Jesus

indicate that His disciples are to be

sanctified? John 17:17. Compare Matt.

7:15-20.

NOTE.—"The Bible is the standard by

which to test the claims of all who pro-

fess sanctification. Jesus prayed that His

disciples might be sanctified through the

truth, and He says, 'Thy Word is truth;'

while the psalmist declares, 'Thy law is

the truth.' All whom God is leading will

manifest a high regard for the Scriptures

in which His voice is heard. . . . 'Ye shall

know them by their fruits.' We need no

other evidence in order to judge of men's

sanctification; if they are fearful lest they

shall not obey the whole will of God, if

they are listening diligently to His voice,

trusting in His wisdom, and making His

Word the man of their counsel, then,

while they make no boasts of superior

goodness, we may be sure that they are

seeking to attain to perfection of Chris-

tian character. But if the claimants of

holiness even intimate that they are no

longer required to search the Scriptures, we

need not hesitate to pronounce their sanc-

tification spurious. They are leaning to

their own understanding, instead of con-

forming to the will of God."—Ellen G.

White Comments,

SDA Bible Commentary,

Vol.

p. 1147.

Receiving and Imparting. Truth

With what common things did

Jesus illustrate the truths He taught?

Luke 13:18-21. Compare. Matt. 13:33.

NOTE.—"The leaven hidden in the flour

works invisibly to bring the whole mass

under its leavening process; so the leaven

of truth works secretly, silently, steadily,

to transform the soul. The natural incli-

nations are softened and subdued. New

thoughts, new feelings, new motives, are

implanted. A new standard of character is

set up—the life of Christ. The mind is

changed; the faculties are roused to action

in new lines. Man is not endowed with new

faculties, but the faculties he has are sancti-

fied. The conscience is awakened. We are

endowed with traits of character that en-

able us to do service for

God.."—Christ's

Object Lessons,

pages 98, 99.

"If you fail ninety-nine times

in a hundred, but succeed in

saving the one soul from

ruin, you have done a noble

deed for the Master's cause."

—Testimonies,

Vol. 4, p. 132.

351

What did Jesus declare Himself

and the truths He taught to be? John

6:32-35.

NoTE.—" 'I am the bread of life,' the

Author, Nourisher, and Supporter of eter-

nal, spiritual life. . . . To eat His flesh

and to drink His blood means to receive

Him as a heaven-sent teacher. Belief in

Him is essential to spiritual life. . . .

"It is not enough for us to know and

respect the words of the Scriptures. We

must enter into the understanding of them,

studying them earnestly, eating the flesh

and drinking the blood of the Son of God.

Christians will reveal the degree to which

they do this by the healthiness of their

spiritual character. We must know the

practical application of the Word to our

own individual character-building. We are

to be holy temples, in which God can live

and walk and work. Never must we strive

to lift ourselves above the servants whom

God has chosen to do His work and to

honor His holy name. 'All ye are brethren.'

Let us apply this Word to our individual

selves, comparing scripture with scripture."

—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible

Commentary,

Vol. 5, p. 1135.

10.

How did Jesus feed the hungry

multitudes? John 6:5-13.

NOTE.—"In Christ's act of supplying the

temporal necessities of a hungry multitude

is wrapped up a deep spiritual lesson for

all His workers. Christ received from the

Father; He imparted to the disciples; they

imparted to the multitude; and the people

to one another. So all who are united to

Christ will receive from Him the bread of

life, the heavenly food, and impart it to

others."—The

Desire of Ages,

page 369.

"Do we receive the Bible as

`the oracle of God'? It is as

really a divine communica-

tion as though its words came

to us in an audible voice."

—Testimonies,

Vol. 5, p. 533.

Advancing in the Light

11.

What wish did Paul express on

behalf of the Ephesian believers? Eph.

1:15-19.

NoTE.—"In eternity we shall learn that

which, had we received the enlightenment

that it was possible to obtain here, would

have opened our understanding. . . . For-

ever and forever new views of the perfection

and glory of Christ will appear. Through

endless ages the faithful Householder will

bring forth from His treasures things new

and old."—My

Life Today,

page 360.

12.

How did the wise man describe

the path of the just? Prov. 4:18. Com-

pare John 8:12.

NoTE.—New light will never contradict

old light. It is not independent of old

light but often an unfolding of it. Some-

times what is called "new light" is simply

a rediscovery of an old truth, "new" to

the student, which may have been lost

sight of for a time. The Bible is a center

of light and, sun-like, its reserves of radiant

knowledge are inexhaustible.

13.

What is the result of walking

in the light? 1 John 1:7.

NoTE.—"If we walk in the light we

walk with God, from whom the light shines,

and have fellowship not only with Him

but also with all others who are following

the Lord. Serving the same God, believing

the same truths, following the same in-

structions on the pathway of life, we can-

not fail to walk in unity. The slightest sign

of ill will between us and our brethren

should make us review our own conduct,

to be sure that we are not veering away

from the lighted path of life."—SDA

Bible

Commentary,

on 1 John 1:7.

[

]

Lesson 11, for December 13, 1969

Responsibilities of Bible Study

MEMORY VERSE:

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that

needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun

profane and vain babblings; for they will increase unto more ungodliness."

2 Tim. 2:15, 16.

STUDY HELPS:

"Christ's Object Lessons," pages 110, 111; "Counsels on Sabbath

School Work," pages 33-37; "The Desire of Ages," page 154; "Selected

Messages," Bk. 1, pp. 44, 161, 162, 196; Bk. 2, pp. 102-104, 110, 113, 238;

"Testimonies," Vol. 3, p. 194; Vol. 5, pp. 698-711; "SDA Bible Commentary."

STUDY AIM:

To discover how the Bible can help develop mature Christians and

protect God's people from fanaticism.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. Ignorance of Scripture

Sadducees' teaching unscriptural.

Matt. 22:23-33.

Disciples knew not the Scriptures.

John 20:9.

A famine for God's Word.

Amos 8:11, 12.

Destroyed for lack of knowledge.

Hosea 4:6.

A willing ignorance.

2 Peter 3:3-5.

II. Misinterpreting Scripture

6. Movement to make Christ king.

John 6:14, 15.

7. Cleansing of the sanctuary.

Dan. 8:14.

III. Wresting the Scriptures

8. Bible reading without profit.

2 Peter 3:15, 16.

9. Hold to the truth t

2 Peter 3:17, 18.

IV. The Unfolding Scriptures

10. God's Word a light.

Ps. 119:105.

11. The Spirit the Revealer.

1 Cor. 2:10, 11.

V. Habits of Scripture Study

12. The example of the Bereans.

Acts 17:11.

13. Manna each day for Israel.

Ex. 16:4.

THE LESSON

Introduction

"When faith in God's Word is lost, the

soul has no guide, no safeguard. The

youth are drawn into paths which lead

away from God and from everlasting life.

"To this cause may in great degree be

attributed the widespread iniquity in our

world today. When the Word of God is

set aside, its power to restrain the evil

passions of the natural heart is rejected."

—Christ's Object Lessons,

page 41.

Ignorance of Scripture

1. Why did the Sadducees err in

the understanding of spiritual mat-

ters? Matt. 22:23-33.

NOTE.—"He [Jesus] did not charge them,

as He had charged the Pharisees, with

hypocrisy, but with error of belief.

[

37]

"The Sadducees had flattered themselves

that they of all men adhered most strictly

to the Scriptures. But Jesus showed that

they had not known their true meaning.

That knowledge must be brought home to

the heart by the enlightenment of the Holy

Spirit. Their ignorance of the Scriptures

and the power of God He declared to be

the cause of their confusion of faith and

darkness of mind."—The

Desire of Ages,

pages 605, 606.

What shows that the disciples

did not always understand and readily

grasp the Scriptures? John 20:9. Com-

pare Luke 24:25.

NOTE

.—The disciples were sometimes

dull of understanding and did not grasp

divine ideas, for example, that Christ must

suffer and die and rise from the dead.

Even the character of Christ's mission of

grace they did not appreciate fully until

after Pentecost. Doubt and unbelief and

fear plagued them. All of this was as-

sociated with their ignorance of the Scrip-

tures and preconceived ideas that pre-

vented them from grasping the truth as

Christ taught it to them. This was why

they were so terribly disappointed at the

cross.

What prediction did Amos

make? Amos 8:11, 12.

NorE.—"Those who had not prized God's

Word were hurrying to and fro, wandering

from sea to sea, and from the north to the

east, to seek the Word of the Lord. Said

the angel, 'They shall not find it. There is

a famine in the land; not a famine of

bread, nor a thirst for water, but for hear-

ing the words of the Lord. What would

they not give for one word of approval

"Every day some portion of

time should be appropriated

to the study of the lessons."

—Counsels on Sabbath

School Work,

page 53.

from God! but no, they must hunger and

thirst on. Day after day have they slighted

salvation, prizing earthly riches and earthly

pleasure higher than any heavenly treasure

or inducement. They have rejected Jesus

and despised His saints. The filthy must re-

main filthy forever.'

"—Early Writings,

pages 281, 282.

Why were God's ancient people,

Israel, destroyed? Hosea 4:6. Com-

pare 8:12.

Nor.—"The greatest ignorance that now

curses the human race is in regard to the

binding claims of the law of God; and

this ignorance is the result of neglecting

the study of the Word of God. It is Satan's

determined plan to so engage and absorb

the mind, that God's great guidebook shall

not be the Book of books, and that the

sinner may not be led from the path of

transgression to the path of obedience."—

Fundamentals of Christian Education,

page

131.

What attitude did Peter say

would be expressed by many toward

revealed truth? 2 Peter 3:3-5. Com-

pare Jude 17-19.

NOTE.—Those "who scoff at religion and

live self-indulgent lives" (NEB), the shoul-

der-shruggers of our time and wishful

thinkers, point to the uniformity of natural

processes and argue against the Bible teach-

ing of a cataclysmic second coming of

Christ on the grounds that "everything

continues exactly as it has always been

since the world began." NEB. But the

same word of God which called forth the

earth in the beginning and established the

laws of the natural world has proclaimed

a second advent of Christ (In the midst of

the convulsion of nature), and it will be

fulfilled !

Misinterpreting Scripture

After the miracle of the loaves,

what did certain men seek to do with

Jesus? John 6:14, 15.

[88]

NoTE.—The Jewish expectation of a

Messiah-deliverer who would liberate their

nation from Rome and exalt it to world

dominion was based on the belief that the

covenant promises of the Old Testament

were to be fulfilled unconditionally, that

is, irrespective of whether they as a people

complied with the conditions upon which

the covenant promises had been made.

Even the disciples were blinded by the pop-

ular failure to recognize the conditional

nature of these promises of national great-

ness. As a result, the disciples now united

in the plan of the multitude to make Jesus

king, in the expectation that He would

liberate Israel from Rome. But Christ dis-

missed them, and then the multitude, and

quietly withdrew to the mountain.

The disappointment of the disciples at

the death of Christ (Luke 24:21) likewise

came about as the result of their failure to

understand and properly apply Old Testa-

ment prophecies.

What was to be cleansed at the

end of the 2,300 days? Dan. 8:14.

NoTE.—The prophecy of the cleansing of

the sanctuary in Daniel 8:14, the early

Adventists believed to have reference to

the second advent. "But the appointed

time had passed, and the Lord had not

appeared. The- believers knew that God's

Word could not fail; their interpretation

of the prophecy must be at fault; but

where was the mistake

?"—The Great Con-

troversy,

page 409.

"In their investigation they learned that

there is no Scripture evidence sustaining

the popular view that the earth is the

sanctuary; but they found in the Bible a

full explanation of the subject of the sanc-

tuary, its nature, location, and services; the

testimony of the sacred writers being so

clear and ample as to place the matter be-

yond all question."—Ibid., p. 411.

Wresting the Scriptures

What did Peter say some had

done with Paul's writings? 2 Peter

3:15, 16.

NoTE.—"There are many things ap-

parently difficult or obscure, which God

will make plain and simple to those who

thus seek an understanding of them. But

without the guidance of the Holy Spirit

we shall be continually liable to wrest the

Scriptures or to misinterpret them. There

is much reading of the Bible that is with-

out profit, and in many cases a positive

injury. When the Word of God is opened

without reverence and without prayer;

when the thoughts and affections are not

fixed upon God, or in harmony with His

will, the mind is clouded with doubts;

and in the very study of the Bible, skepti-

cism strengthens. The enemy takes control

of the thoughts, and he suggests interpre-

tations that are not correct. Whenever

men are not in word and deed seeking to

be in harmony with God, then, however

learned they may be, they are liable to err

in their understanding of Scripture, and

it is not safe to trust to their explanations.

Those who look to the Scriptures to find

discrepancies, have not spiritual insight.

With distorted vision they will see many

causes for doubt and unbelief in things

that are really plain and simple."—Steps

Christ,

pages 110, 111.

What warning does Peter give

those who know of the dangers of

being led astray? 2 Peter 3:17, 18.

The Unfolding. Scriptures

10.

What is God's Word declared

to be? Ps. 119:105.

H. Who is the Revealer of the deep

things of God? 1 Cor. 2:10, 11. Com-

pare John 16:13, 14.

NoTE.—"God intends that even in this

life the truths of His Word shall be ever

unfolding to His people. There is only one

way in which this knowledge can be ob-

tained. We can attain to an

understanding

[39]

of God's Word only through the illumi-

nation of that Spirit by which the Word

was given. 'The things of God knoweth

no man, but the Spirit of God;' for the

Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep

things of God.' 1 Corinthians 2:11, 10. And

the Saviour's promise to His followers was,

'When He, the Spirit of truth, is come,

He will guide you into all truth. . . . For

He shall receive of Mine, and shall show

it unto you.' John 16:13,

14."—Steps to

Christ,

page 109.

Habits of Scripture Study

12. How often did the Bereans

study the Bible? Acts 17:11.

NOTE.—The Bereans "examined" (RSV)

the Scriptures daily. So should we

examine

them, verse by verse, studying each part

carefully. Words and expressions should

be studied to find the author's intent and

meaning. Questions should be asked, for

example: "Why did the sacred writer put

it just this way ?" "What is meant by this

expression?" The context in which every

statement occurs must be determined and

studied by the reader if a correct under-

standing is to be reached.

13. How often did God give manna

to feed Israel?

Ex. 16:4.

Compare Ps.

78:24, 25; Rev. 2:17.

NorE.—"Are all the members of your

church seeking to gather fresh

manna every

morning and evening? Are you seeking di-

vine enlightenment? or are you devising

means whereby you can glorify yourselves?

Are you, with your whole soul, might,

mind, and strength, loving and serving God

in blessing others around you by leading

them to the Light of the

world?"—Testi-

monies,

Vol. 5, p. 486.

Lesson 12, for December 20, 1969

The Scriptures and My Life

MEMORY VERSE:

"It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the

words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63.

STUDY HELPS:

"Child Guidance," page 507; "Counsels on Sabbath School Work,"

pages 17-23; "The Great Controversy," chapter 37; "Messages to Young

People," pages 253-264, 105-113; "Steps to Christ," chapter, "A Knowledge

of God"; "Selected Messages," Bk. 2, p. 39.

STUDY AIM:

To discover how the Bible may touch the total life of man and the

power it has to regenerate the spiritual life.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. The Intellectual Life and the Word

1. Understanding for man's mind.

Ps. 119:130.

Limits to man's understanding.

Job 11:7-9.

II. The Practical Life and the Word

Physical toil and man's well-being.

Gen. 3 :17-19 ; 1 Thess. 4:11, 12.

Provisions for social equality.

Num. 26:55, 56; Lev. 25:23.

The care of the poor and lowly.

Deut. 15:7, 8, 11; 24:14, 15, 19.

Acknowledging God's blessings.

Mal. 3:10-12.

Ill. The Spiritual Life and the Word

Physical bread for the multitude.

John 6:25-27.

Spiritual bread for all.

John 6:48-58.

Eating His words. John 6:63.

10.

Spiritual life only in Christ.

John 6:66-69.

IV. Eternal Life and the Word

11.

Earnest desire for the Word.

1 Peter 2:2.

12.

Receiving God's Word. rames 1:21.

13.

God's blessed man.

James 1:22-27.

THE LESSON

Introduction

"The life of Christ that gives life to the

world is in His word. It was by His word

that Jesus healed disease and cast out de-

mons; by His word He stilled the sea, and

raised the dead; and the people bore wit-

ness that His word was with power. He

spoke the word of God, as He had spoken

through all the prophets and teachers of

the Old Testament. The whole Bible is a

manifestation of Christ, and the Saviour

desired to fix the faith of His followers

on the Word. When His visible presence

should be withdrawn, the Word must be

their source of power. Like their master,

they were to live 'by every word that pro-

ceedeth out of the mouth of God.' Matt.

4:4."-The Desire of Ages,

page 390.

The Intellectual Life and the Word

1. What precious gift is imparted

by the entrance of God's words? Ps.

119: 130. Compare Ps. 119:104; 19:7.

not but expand and strengthen."-Educa-

tion, page 124.

2. What limits did one of Job's

friends point out in man's search for

God? Job 11:7-9.

NorE.-"To acknowledge that we cannot

fully comprehend the great truths of the

Bible is only to admit that the finite mind

is inadequate to grasp the infinite; that

man, with his limited, human knowledge,

cannot understand the purposes of Om-

niscience.. .

"It is right to study closely the teachings

of the Bible and to search into 'the deep

things of God' so far as they are revealed

in Scripture. 1 Corinthians 2:10. While 'the

secret things belong unto the Lord our

God,' those things which are revealed be-

long unto us.' Deuteronomy 29:29. But it

is Satan's work to pervert the investigative

powers of the

mind."-Steps to Christ,

page 108.

The Practical Life and the Word

NOTE.-"As

a means of intellectual train-

ing, the Bible is more effective than any

other book, or all other books combined.

The greatness of its themes, the dignified

simplicity of its utterances, the beauty of

its imagery, quicken and uplift the thoughts

as nothing else can. No other study can

impart such mental power as does the

effort to grasp the stupendous truths of

revelation. The mind thus brought in con-

tact with the thoughts of the Infinite can-

3. What practical lessons concern-

ing physical work are taught in God's

Word? Gen. 3:17-19; 1 Thess. 4:11,

12. Compare 1 Tim. 5:8; Prov. 24:

30-34.

NoTE.-"In

the sweat of thy face.

The

arduous toil that was to add to man's

burdensome life is now vividly expressed.

[

41]

This refers specifically to the husbandman,

who must live by forcing from a reluctant

earth food for himself and his family, but

it applies equally to all other vocations.

Since Adam's fall human achievement may

be realized only through toil. Nevertheless,

it should be recognized that this punish-

ment was indeed a blessing in disguise for

sinful beings. When a man works he is

far less likely to sin than when he spends

his days in idleness. Toil and labor develop

character and teach man humility and co-

operation with God. This is one reason why

the Christian church has generally found its

most loyal adherents and supporters among

the laboring class. Work, even when ardu-

ous, should not be despised; 'a blessing is

in it.'

"—SDA Bible Commentary,

on Gen.

3:19.

4. What principle of land distribu-

tion did God

give

to ancient Israel?

Num. 26:55, 56; Lev. 25:23.

NOTE.—"By the special direction of God

the land had been divided by lot. After

the division was made no one was at

liberty to trade his estate. Neither was he

to sell his land unless poverty compelled

him to do so, and then, whenever he or

any of his kindred might desire to redeem

it, the purchaser must not refuse to sell it;

and if unredeemed, it would revert to its

first possessor or his heirs in the year of

jubilee....

"The Lord would place a check upon the

inordinate love of property and power.

Great evils would result from the con-

tinued accumulation of wealth by one

class, and the poverty and degradation of

another. Without some restraint the power

of the wealthy would become a monopoly,

and the poor, though in every respect fully

as worthy in God's sight, would be regarded

and treated as inferior to their more pros-

perous brethren. The sense of this oppres-

sion would arouse the passions of the

poorer class. There would be a feeling of

despair and desperation which would tend

to demoralize society and open the door to

crimes of every description. The regula-

tions that God established were designed

to promote social equality. The provisions

of the sabbatical year and the jubilee

would, in a great measure, set right that

which during the interval had gone wrong

in the social and political economy of the

nation."—Patriarchs

and Prophets,

page

534.

How did God provide for the

care of the poor? Deut. 15:7, 8, 11;

24:14, 15, 19. Compare Gal. 6:2.

In what tangible way should all

acknowledge God's ownership of ma-

terial things? Mal. 3:10-12. Compare

Lev. 27:30.

The Spiritual Life and the Word

For what reason did Jesus say

the people sought Him? John 6:25-27.

How did the Jews misunderstand

Christ's words about giving them His

flesh to eat? John 6:48-58.

NOTE.—To the Jews and to some of His

disciples Jesus' affirmation was "a hard

saying." But Jesus was making plain the

same fact that He was to teach in the

institution of the Lord's Supper—namely,

that He was Himself the answer to man's

spiritual hunger. And He would use what-

ever symbols could best portray His per-

sonal power to satisfy the hungry souls

of men.

How did Jesus explain His state-

ment about eating His flesh and drink-

ing His blood? John 6:63. Compare

Jer. 15:16; Job 23:12.

NcrrE.—"By looking constantly to Jesus

with the eye of faith, we shall be strength-

ened. God will make the most precious

(427

revelations to His hungering, thirsting peo-

ple. They will find that Christ is a personal

Saviour. As they feed upon His Word, they

find that it is spirit and life. The Word

destroys the natural, earthly nature, and

imparts a new life in Christ Jesus. The

Holy Spirit comes to the soul as a Com-

fo terBy'llre-transfoxin



agency of His

raee,_the_irna of God is reproduced in

the disciple; he



Arnea new creature.

Love takes the place of hatred, and the

heart receives the divine similitude. This

is what it means to live 'by every word

that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.'

This is eating the Bread that comes down

from heaven."—The

Desire of Ages,

page

391.

10. When many of the disciples

forsook Christ, what did He ask the

Twelve? What was Peter's reply?

John 6:66-69.

NOTE.-" 'To whom shall we go?' Not

from the teaching of Christ, His lessons of

love and mercy, to the darkness of un-

belief, the wickedness of the world. While

the Saviour was forsaken by many who

had witnessed His wonderful works, Peter

expressed the faith of the disciples,—`Thou

art that Christ.' The very thought of losing

this anchor of their souls filled them with

fear and pain. To be destitute of a Saviour

was to be adrift on a dark and stormy

sea."—The Desire of Ages,

page 393.

Eternal Life and the Word

11.

How eagerly should we desire

"the sincere milk of the Word"?

1 Peter 2:2.

12.

In what spirit should the Word

of God be received? What is the

Word of God able to do for us?

James 1:21.

13.

What man is said to be blessed

in his deeds? James 1:22-27.

NOTE.

[James 1:23-27 quoted.] This

is the word of the living God. The law is

God's great moral looking glass. Man is to

compare his words, his spirit, his actions

with the Word of God. . . . True religion

means living the Word in your practical

life. Your profession is not of any value

without the practical doing of the Word."

—Ellen G. White Comments,

SDA Bible

Commentary,

Vol. 7, p. 935.

Lesson 13, for December 27, 1969

Triumph of the Scriptures

MEMORY VERSE:

"The

grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our

God shall stand forever." Isa. 40:8.

STUDY HELPS: "The Great Controversy," chapter 15; "Daniel and the Revelation,"

pages 529-542 (1944 revised edition, pages 531-547); "The SDA Bible Com-

mentary."

STUDY AIM: To discover why the Bible has survived the bitterest attacks of its

enemies and why it will endure to the close of time.

43]

Lesson Outline:

Introduction

I. Power and Endurance of God's Word

Power in God's Word.

Heb. 4:12.

Enduring qualities. Isa. 40:8.

II. God's Word Tested

A prophetic symbol.

Rev. 11:3 (first part), 4.

Appearance of the witnesses.

Rev. 11:3 (second part).

Their great power and influence.

Rev. 11:5, 6.

III. The Two Witnesses in

Sackcloth

The enemy of the witnesses.

Rev. 11:7.

Struggle and warfare.

Rev. 11:8-10.

IV. The Two Witnesses Exalted

Their "resurrection."

Rev. 11:9, 11.

Their glorification. Rev. 11:12.

V. God's Witnesses and the Final

Message

10.

God's last message.

Rev. 14:6-12.

11.

The earth lightened. Rev. 18:1.

12.

Examples for us. 1 Cor. 10:11, 12.

THE LESSON

Introduction

"The infidel Voltaire once boastingly

said: 'I am weary of hearing people repeat

that twelve men established the Christian

religion. I will prove that one man may

suffice to overthrow it.' Generations have

passed since his death. Millions have joined

in the war upon the Bible. But it is so far

from being destroyed, that where there

were a hundred in Voltaire's time, there are

now ten thousand, yes, a hundred thousand

copies of the Book of God. In the words

of an early Reformer concerning the Chris-

tian church, 'The Bible is an anvil that has

worn out many hammers.' Saith the Lord:

'No weapon that is formed against thee

shall prosper ; and every tongue that shall

rise against thee in judgment thou shalt

condemn.' Isaiah

54:17."-The Great Con-

troversy,

page 288.

Power and Endurance of

God's Word

1. How is the power of God's

Word described? Heb. 4:12. Compare

Jer. 23:29.

How long will the Word of God

endure? Isa. 40:8. Compare Ps. 111:

7, 8.

God's Word Tested

What prophetic symbol is in-

troduced by the angel in the book of

Revelation? Rev. 11:3 (first part), 4.

Compare Zech. 4:1-6, 11-14.

NOTE.

-"Inasmuch

as the fullest expres-

sion of the Holy Spirit to men is con-

tained in the Scriptures of the OT and the

NT, they may be considered to be the two

witnesses."-SDA

Bible Commentary,

Rev. 11:3.

"The two witnesses represent the Scrip-

tures of the Old and the New Testament.

Both are important testimonies to the ori-

gin and perpetuity of the law of God. Both

are witnesses also to the plan of salvation.

The types, sacrifices, and prophecies of the

Old Testament point forward to a Saviour

to come. The Gospels and Epistles of the

New Testament tell of a Saviour who has

come in the exact manner foretold by type

and prophecy."—The

Great Controversy,

page 267.

For how long were the two wit-

nesses to prophecy in sackcloth? With

what were they clothed? Rev. 11:3

(second part).

NOTE.—The twelve hundred sixty sym-

bolic days or literal years (Ezek. 4:6;

Num. 14:34) are mentioned several times

in the prophecies of Daniel and the Reve-

lation (see Dan. 7:25; 12:7; Rev. 12:6;

13:5). Protestant commentators have iden-

tified this prophetic period with the his-

torical dates 538-1798, when the papacy

dominated Western Europe and the Word

of God was dishonored by the church of

Rome and was thus, figuratively, dressed in

sackcloth.

"During the greater part of this period,

God's witnesses remained in a state of

obscurity. The papal power sought to hide

from the people the Word of truth, and

set before them false witnesses to contradict

its testimony. . . . When the Bible was

proscribed by religious and secular author-

ity; . . . then the faithful witnesses proph-

esied in sackcloth. Yet they continued their

testimony throughout the entire period of

1,260 years. In the darkest times there were

faithful men who loved God's Word and

were jealous for His honor. To these loyal

servants were given wisdom, power, and

authority to declare His truth during the

whole of this time."—The

Great Contro-

versy,

pages 267, 268.

What power did the witnesses

have over their enemies? Rev. 11:5, 6.

Compare Rev. 22:19.

NOTE.—"All who exalt their own opinions

above divine revelation, all who would

change the plain meaning of Scripture to

suit their own convenience, or for the sake

of conforming to the world, are taking

upon themselves a fearful responsibility.

The Written Word, the law of God, will

measure the character of every man, and

condemn all whom this unerring test shall

declare wanting."—The

Great Controversy,

page 268.

The Two Witnesses in Sackcloth

Who is said to make war against

the two witnesses? Rev. 11:7.

NOTE.—"Commentators identify this

beast as a power that would seek to de-

stroy the Scriptures (symbolized by the

two witnesses) at the close of the 1,260-

day period, in A.D. 1798. . . . Inasmuch as

atheism was particularly popular in France

at this time, and the anti-religious spirit of

the day naturally militated against the

use of and belief in Scripture, the First

French Republic has been identified as the

beast of the present passage."—SDA

Bible

Commentary,

on Rev. 11:7.

What disrespect was shown to

the two witnesses? Rev. 11:8-10.

NOTE.—"It has been Rome's policy, un-

der a profession of reverence for the Bible,

to keep it locked up in an unknown tongue

and hidden away from the people. Under

her rule the witnesses prophesied, 'clothed

in sackcloth.' But another power—the

beast from the bottomless pit—was to

arise to make open, avowed war upon the

Word of

God."—The Great Controversy,

page 269.

The use of the words "Egypt" and

"Sodom" and "great city" is symbolic and

characterized the licentiousness and athesim

of France during the Revolution when the

Word of God and religion were despised

by the government of the First French

Republic, when "Reason" was enthroned

as Deity and a profligate woman was wor-

shiped as her symbol.

"Receive into the soul by

faith the incorruptible seed

of the Word, and it will

bring forth a character and

a life after the similitude of

the character and the life of

God."—Christ's Object Les-

sons,

page 38.

The Two Witnesses Exalted

What is said concerning the "res-

urrection" of the two witnesses? Rev.

11:9, 11.

NOTE.—"In harmony with the principle

of prophetic interpretation, that a day

stands for a year,'three days and an half'

would be equivae

nt to three years and a

half. Seventh-day Adventists, who generally

understand the beast of v. 7 to represent

the First French Republic (1789 to 1801),

especially in terms of its anti-religious bias,

find this prophecy fulfilled during that

brief period in French revolutionary history

when atheism was at its height. This period

may be reckoned from November 26, 1793,

when a decree, issued in Paris, abolished

religion, to June 17, 1797, when, it is held,

the French government removed restric-

tions against the practice of religion."—

SDA

Bible Commentary,

on Rev. 11:9.

"It was in 1793 that the decrees which

abolished the Christian religion and set

aside the Bible passed the French Assembly.

Three years and a half later a resolution

rescinding these decrees, thus granting tol-

eration to the Scriptures, was adopted by

the same body. The world stood aghast at

the enormity of guilt which had resulted

from a rejection of the Sacred Oracles, and

men recognized the necessity of faith in

God and His Word as the foundation of

virtue and morality."—The

Great Contro-

versy,

page 287.

How great was to be the ex-

altation of the witnesses? Rev. 11:12.

NOTE.—"This exaltation of the witnesses

has been understood as symbolizing the re-

markable popularity that the Scriptures

have enjoyed since the early 19th century.

Soon after the French Revolution various

national Bible societies were established.

Particularly notable among these were the

British and Foreign Bible Society, founded

in 1804, and the American Bible Society,

organized in 1816. These societies, with

others, have circulated the Scriptures

throughout the world in more than 1,000

languages. Thus in the last century and a

half, the Bible, rather than being relegated

to oblivion as a spiritual guide, has come

to enjoy its widest circulation.

"Ascended . . . in a cloud.

As Jesus bade

His disciples farewell, a cloud 'received Him

out of their sight' (Acts 1:9). So also the

two witnesses are carried to heaven in a

cloud. The figure fittingly describes the

exaltation of the Scriptures in the period

following their suppression in France."—

SDA

Bible Commentary,

on Rev. 11:12.

God's Witnesses and the Final

Message

10.

What messages did the prophet

hear the three angels proclaim? Rev.

14:6-12. Compare 1 Peter 1:25.

NOTE.—The Word of God endures for-

ever. Seventh-day Adventists proclaim these

three angels' messages. Here the testimony

of the two witnesses is heard speaking

forth the gospel tidings in the setting of

the judgment-hour message. This we may

regard as the climactic act of God in the

exaltation of the two witnesses.

11.

What happened when another

angel came down from heaven? Rev.

18:1.

NoTE.—The entire world is lightened with

the glory of truth shining from the pro-

phetic Scriptures, and many heed the call

of the angel of Revelation 18:1-4 to come

out of Babylon and join the remnant peo-

ple of God in their march to the Holy City.

12.

What important truth did the

apostle Paul emphasize? 1 Cor. 10:

11, 12.

NOTE.—Phillips translates verse 11 as fol-

lows: "Now these things which happened to

our ancestors are illustrations of the way in

which God works, and they were written

down to be a warning to us who are the

heirs of the ages which have gone before

us."

(

46]

THIRTEENTH SABBATH OFFERING

December 20, 1969

Southern Asia Division

Southern Asia is not only the home of several powerful non-Christian

religions, it is the birthplace of two of the most aggressive of these;

namely, Hinduism and Buddhism. For centuries, even millenniums, the

views of life offered by these religions have cast their spell over the hun-

dreds of millions of people who live in these lands and have made it

extremely difficult for the gospel to penetrate.

Of late, however, the Spirit of God is being poured out in unprece-

dented measure, and we are beginning to see each year hundreds accepting

Christianity. One of the agencies of the church in meeting the challenge of

spreading the gospel has been its educational system, which in mission

fields is open to the public. This avenue in Southern Asia has accounted

for almost one third of all baptisms through the years of our endeavor.

The overflow this quarter will be used to supply additional dormitory

space for the students at Spicer Memorial College and to modernize and

improve the Lasalgaon High School. Part of the overflow will also be used

for new church buildings. These are all urgent needs. Southern Asia is

counting on fellow believers around the world to come to her aid at this

time. Make your Thirteenth Sabbath Offering a real Christmas sacrifice

offering.

Lessons for the First Quarter of 1970

Beginning with the first quarter of 1970 the senior Sabbath School lessons will

appear in a different format than has been used for many years in the past. One

page of the quarterly will be devoted to the material for one day's study. Each

lesson will be divided into six sections. Those who have not yet received a copy of

the first quarter's

Quarterly

will be helped in the study of the first lesson by this

outline:

The New Name. Luke 11:2; Matt. 10:29-31; Mal. 3:17; 1 John 4:8-10.

The Father Revealed in Christ. John 14:8-10; Rom. 5:5; Gal. 4:6; Matt. 11:27;

John 14:6.

The Privilege of Sonship. 1 John 3:1, 2; John 1:12, 13.

The Discipline of Sonship. Heb. 12:5-7, 11.

The Father's Love. Rom. 8:35-39; John 10:29, 30; 2 Cor. 5:14.

Approaching the Father. John 4:23, 24; Heb. 4:16; Heb. 10:22.

[ 47 ]

Benno U.



25,000.000

Ceylon U.



11,500.000

Northeast U.



156,941,283

Northwesters. India U. 185,500,000

Pakistan U.



125.000,000

South India U.



110,160,887

Western India U.



60,523,600

4,127



4,895

1,138



1,000

4,343



4,964

2,367



2,930

3,730



8,622

22,279



25,421

2,319



2,950

40,303



50,782